Dhaka’s interest in joining Gaza ISF conditional: Says govt; muted reactions from political parties

The government has said Bangladesh’s interest in joining the proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza hinges on several principles, including that the force be temporary and operate under a clear United Nations Security Council mandate.

 “We recognise the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the ISF and understand that some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force. We are also carefully considering the matter,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.

 He made the remarks yesterday in a written response to The Daily Star’s queries, sent on Sunday. The newspaper sought clarification on why the interim government was considering participation in the ISF just weeks ahead of the election, the nature of Bangladesh’s possible role, and whether the foreign policy implications had been duly assessed.

 Shafiqul said that as the world’s third-largest Muslim-majority nation, Bangladesh has consistently condemned Israeli genocide in Gaza and called for its immediate end, along with the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

 He noted that the UN Security Council on November 17, 2025, adopted Resolution 2803, which, among other provisions, approved the establishment of an ISF for Gaza. He added that all Muslim country members of the Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, while several Arab and Muslim states jointly recommended its adoption.

 Bangladesh, he said, recognises the importance of the Security Council’s decision and is assessing its position in that context.

 On January 9, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, during a meeting with US officials in Washington, DC, expressed Bangladesh’s interest in principle to “be part of the international stabilisation force” to be deployed in Gaza. 

In response, US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker said Washington was willing to work with Bangladesh on the issue.

Shafiqul yesterday said, “As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces and an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause, Bangladesh’s interest in participating in the ISF is contingent on the fulfillment of a number of principles.”

 “These include, among others, that the ISF should be temporary and operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate; that there must be permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza; and that the responsibilities for Gaza will be transferred to the Palestinians,” he said.

 Bangladesh, he added, remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

 Political reactions to the government’s position were mixed.

 BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said he did not want to comment on the issue at this stage. Another BNP leader, requesting anonymity, said, “The interim government could have avoided taking any such decision on sensitive matters when the election is only a month away.”

 Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said any decision must be transparent, well explained to the public, and taken strictly in the national interest.

“People will not accept anything beyond this,” he told The Daily Star, adding that the party would issue a formal statement after internal discussions.

 Sultan Muhammad Zakaria, head of the National Citizen Party’s international relations cell, supported the government’s stance, saying, “I think the government’s interest to be part of the International Stabilisation Force is right. We want stability in Gaza at the earliest.”

 Ending the war and restoring law and order were prerequisites for peace in Gaza, he said, adding that Palestine is a friend of Bangladesh and any effort to support its cause should be welcomed.

 Meanwhile, the Palestine Solidarity Committee, Bangladesh on Sunday condemned the interim government’s interest in joining the proposed ISF and demanded an immediate reversal of the position.

 In a statement, Prof Md Harun-or-Rashid, member secretary of the committee, said the ISF’s primary role would be to disarm freedom fighters in Gaza under the guise of ensuring Israel’s security, effectively dismantling the Palestinian resistance.

 He said it was unfortunate that the national security adviser expressed Bangladesh’s interest in participating in the ISF during his meeting with US officials.