Khaberni - A source in the Azerbaijani government told Reuters on Friday that Azerbaijan does not intend to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza unless there is a complete cessation of fighting there between Israel and Hamas.
As part of President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, the United States is holding talks with Azerbaijan, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey about potential contributions from those countries in establishing an international force to stabilize the region, comprising about 20,000 soldiers.
The source said, "We do not want to put our forces at risk. It can only happen if military action stops completely."
The source added that any such decision must be approved by the parliament. The head of the security committee in the parliament told Reuters that the committee has not yet received any bill on this matter.
An official in the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry declined to comment on written questions from Reuters regarding the conditions under which his country might participate in sending peacekeeping forces.
The resolution drafted by the United States at the United Nations authorizes the stabilization force "to use all necessary measures," meaning force if necessary, to carry out its mandate to achieve security stability in Gaza.
Hamas has not yet disclosed whether it will agree to lay down its arms and clear Gaza of weapons, something it has previously rejected.
