On Tuesday, the official Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed that Morocco is set to host the inaugural training session for a multinational force intended for deployment in the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks. If the Hebrew narrative holds true, this development signifies a shift in Morocco's role from merely contributing a limited number of soldiers to actively participating in the establishment and training of a force responsible for security tasks during the transitional phase in the region.
According to a report from Israeli news outlet Kan, representatives from the American leadership based in Kiryat Gat (southern occupied Palestine) recently arrived in Morocco's capital, Rabat, to collaborate on planning the initial training for this multinational force alongside Moroccan military officials. The training is expected to encompass various activities, including shooting drills, physical fitness routines, and other rehabilitation programs, with Moroccan soldiers joining forces with personnel from other contributing nations such as Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania.
The report further indicated that Morocco is preparing to send approximately 500 troops to Gaza as part of this multinational force. However, Morocco's involvement is not limited to field participation; it is anticipated that Rabat will play a significant role in future plans for the Gaza Strip, especially in training thousands of soldiers who will operate there.
Why Morocco?
The selection of Morocco is not arbitrary, according to Israeli media outlets, but rather based on a combination of political and security considerations that differentiate it from other nations mentioned in the context of post-war arrangements. A key factor is the level of security cooperation that has developed between Morocco and Israel over recent years. Following the resumption of relations between the two parties at the end of 2020, Morocco and Israel signed a defense memorandum of understanding in November 2021, establishing a framework for cooperation between the Moroccan and Israeli ministries of defense. This agreement included exchanges of expertise, military collaboration, defense industries, and security technology. Furthermore, prior to this, a cybersecurity cooperation agreement was signed in 2021, which later expanded into arms deals, drone technology, and defensive systems.
Morocco also maintains a unique position regarding the Palestinian issue; it chairs the Jerusalem Committee under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and has historically positioned itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause. This status, from Washington's perspective, provides an Arab cover for Morocco's participation in Gaza arrangements. However, Morocco has yet to issue a detailed announcement regarding the nature of its involvement or the size of its forces, apart from confirming a partnership agreement with Nikolai Mladenov, the head of the Peace Council in Gaza.
Extensive Experience
Morocco's selection is not solely based on its relations with Israel; it also relies on a long-standing history of participation in international peacekeeping missions. Moroccan experts highlight that Moroccan forces have engaged in UN peacekeeping operations for decades, granting them substantial experience in operating within multinational environments and managing tasks ranging from maintaining security to supporting stability. Security and strategic expert Abdel Haq Snaibi noted in interviews with France 24 that Morocco does not carry expansionist, economic, or ideological agendas in Palestinian territories, which makes it a more acceptable party for various stakeholders.
Snaibi emphasized that Morocco holds a prominent position among countries involved in peace support operations and has expertise in training security personnel to work within non-factional institutions, aligning with proposed ideas for the next phase in Gaza. Conversely, discussions within Moroccan circles have raised reservations about the expected nature and limits of Morocco's role, particularly given the ambiguity surrounding the political mission of the international force. Crisis management expert Baraq Shadi Abd al-Salam stated that the decision for the Royal Armed Forces’ participation falls under the exclusive constitutional powers of King Mohammed VI as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, but he stressed the importance of ensuring that Morocco's role aligns with national constants.
Political analyst Said Barkanan previously expressed concerns regarding the unclear nature of the mission, questioning whether the force would protect Palestinians and manage a transitional phase or become part of security arrangements aimed at implementing an American-Israeli vision for the future of Gaza. Additionally, the Moroccan public's attitude cannot be overlooked in interpreting Morocco's role in Gaza arrangements. Since the outbreak of the Israeli offensive in October 2023, there has been a notable increase in protests against the aggression, with political and civil groups demanding a halt to relations with Israel, arguing that ongoing normalization does not align with popular support for Palestinians, especially given the scale of destruction and casualties in Gaza.
The multinational force is part of broader arrangements overseen by the Peace Council proposed by former President Donald Trump as an international body responsible for supervising the transitional phase in Gaza post-conflict. According to announced American visions, the council aims to manage reconstruction efforts, support new security arrangements in the region, and oversee the multinational force tasked with maintaining stability during this transitional period. Trump chairs the council, which he presents as an international framework involving countries contributing to reorganizing the situation in Gaza, while its operations are linked to a broader vision referred to by the American administration as 'the day after the war,' encompassing reconstruction, governance, security arrangements, and preventing a return to armed confrontations. However, the nature of the council's role has sparked widespread debate, particularly concerning the ambiguity surrounding its relationship with existing Palestinian institutions and the powers that will be granted to the international force.
As reported by arabi21.com.
