King Abdullah of Jordan Speaks on Gaza Peacekeeping Prospects

Tue Oct 28 2025 12:46:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In an exclusive interview, King Abdullah of Jordan discusses the complexities of international involvement in Gaza and expresses concerns over the potential lack of willingness from countries to enforce peace under the proposed U.S. plan.

King Abdullah of Jordan has voiced skepticism regarding the commitment of international forces to enforce peace in Gaza as per the U.S. ceasefire plan. He emphasized the distinction between peacekeeping and peace enforcement, suggesting that many nations would be reluctant to engage in what may devolve into a volatile situation. Abdullah also addressed Jordan's geopolitical ties to Palestine and the humanitarian efforts his country has been making amid the ongoing conflict.

Countries would reject being asked to enforce peace in Gaza if deployed under the Trump ceasefire plan, King Abdullah of Jordan has told the BBC.

What is the mandate of security forces inside of Gaza? And we hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that, said King Abdullah in an exclusive interview for BBC Panorama.

The King's comments reflect concern from the US and other nations about being dragged into a continuing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Under US President Trump's peace plan, Arab states and international partners would need to provide stabilization forces to support local police.

However, King Abdullah highlighted that this situation would necessitate patience, citing the local Palestinian police's need for extensive training, a process that would take considerable time.

Abdullah expressed that he would not send Jordanian forces into Gaza, noting that his country is too politically close to the issue, with more than half of Jordan's population being of Palestinian descent.

His statements come against the backdrop of increased tensions and violence, including Israeli airstrikes and ongoing armed resistance from Hamas, which have complicated peacekeeping efforts. The UN distinguishes between peacekeeping and peace enforcement, with the former requiring the consent of conflicting parties and limiting the use of force to self-defense.

In the same interview, Queen Rania of Jordan criticized the international community for not intervening sooner to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The ongoing humanitarian efforts by Jordan, including the evacuation of sick children from Gaza, serve as a testament to the complexities faced by countries in the region amid these geopolitical challenges. Abdullah’s commitment to humanitarian aid highlights the dire situation within Gaza as many await evacuation and medical assistance amid significant health crises.