WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Washington is grateful for Pakistan’s offer to consider participating in a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza, but added that countries being approached want clearer details before making firm commitments.
Speaking to reporters during a press briefing in Washington, Rubio said the United States is still working on defining the mandate, scope and phases of the post-war stabilisation mission following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“We’re very grateful to Pakistan for their offer to be a part of it, or at least their offer to consider being a part of it,” Rubio said. “I think we owe them a few more answers before we can ask anybody to firmly commit.”
He added that the U.S. remains confident that a number of countries acceptable to all sides in the conflict are prepared to contribute once those details are finalised.
Ceasefire Phases and Governance in Gaza
Rubio said that while large-scale hostilities in Gaza have subsided compared with earlier stages of the war, significant work remains.
“This is a long-term project,” he said, noting that efforts to move into the second and third phases of the ceasefire could extend beyond the current U.S. administration.
According to Rubio, the next step will be the announcement of a Palestinian technocratic administration tasked with running Gaza’s day-to-day civilian operations before the deployment of any international stabilisation force.
Countries approached for troop contributions — including Pakistan — want clarity on the mission’s objectives, command structure and legal framework, he said.
Disarmament of Hamas and Hezbollah
Rubio also reiterated Washington’s position that lasting peace is impossible if armed groups retain the ability to threaten Israel.
“If Hamas is ever in a position in the future where they can threaten Israel with their weapons, there will be no peace,” Rubio said, adding that the types of weapons used to attack Israel could serve as a benchmark for Hamas’s disarmament.
He argued that international donors would be unwilling to invest in Gaza’s reconstruction if there was a risk of renewed conflict.
“No one can be convinced to invest money in Gaza if they believe that another war could start within a few years,” he said.
On Lebanon, Rubio said the United States supports efforts to strengthen the Lebanese army and to disarm Hezbollah, describing the group as an Iranian-backed force whose military role undermines regional stability.
“Everyone wants a strong Lebanese army that controls the country and Hezbollah disarmed,” he said, adding that Washington was hopeful ongoing talks could lead to that outcome.
Regional and Diplomatic Context
The remarks come as the United States seeks to build a multinational framework for post-war Gaza governance and security, amid regional sensitivities and widespread opposition to foreign military presence without a clear mandate.
Pakistan, which has historically expressed strong political support for the Palestinian cause, has said it would consider participation in international peace or stabilisation efforts only under a clearly defined and internationally endorsed framework.
U.S. officials say further announcements on Gaza’s interim governance and the stabilisation force are expected in the coming weeks.
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