Pakistan to Deploy Troops in Gaza Under Israeli Direction, Claims Former Officer

London, January 23, 2026: A former Pakistani military officer has claimed that Pakistan has agreed to deploy troops in Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), working under Israeli supervision. While Pakistan does not officially recognize Israel, the former officer alleges that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir have reportedly approved the plan, purportedly to strengthen ties with the United States.

Adil Raja, a retired Pakistani major currently residing in the UK, stated that around 4,000 Pakistani soldiers will participate in Gaza, performing security and monitoring duties. “This is the same Pakistan Army that has long expressed support for liberating Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Now it appears to be fully submitting to Israeli directives,” Raja said in a video statement.

According to Raja, the US has offered Pakistan a leadership role in a multi-national force, including Gulf countries, for the Gaza mission. He claimed that while other nations provide financial support, Pakistani troops will carry out the operational responsibilities.

Raja further criticized the Pakistani leadership, saying the government and military will frame the deployment as support for resolving the Palestinian issue, while in reality, Israel does not recognize Palestine as a state. He accused Sharif and Munir of misleading the Pakistani public and prioritizing financial incentives over national dignity.

He also alleged that Pakistan is moving away from China and aligning more closely with the United States, avoiding Chinese loans and investment despite prior collaborations. Raja has been a vocal critic of the government and military policies, particularly regarding economic management and strategic decisions.

These claims have not been independently verified, and no official statement has been released by the Pakistani government or military regarding the alleged deployment.