Australia open to sending troops to Middle East post-ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Sky News
Today 09:08

Following a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, Australia signals it may join a future "multinational peacekeeping mission" if formally requested.

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Australian Army soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion arrive in Lismore, Australia, on Friday, March 7, 2025, to assist northern New South Wales communities in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred (WO2 Raymond Vance/Australian Defense Dept. via AP)

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, has indicated that Albanese's government is open to considering a request to deploy Australian troops to the Middle East, following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, Marles clarified that “no request” had yet been made, but noted Canberra would “consider any request” that might arise in the wake of the truce.

“Look, I don't think we're in that world yet. There's been no request ... I wouldn't be in the world of speculating about what we would do in the future,” Marles said.

“We want to be as constructive as we can be, and that's how we've sought to be over the last two years. Obviously, we consider any request that comes to us. But I don't really want to speculate on this beyond that. We seek to be as constructive as we can be,” he further claimed.

US to send 200 troops as Australia keeps options open

Marles’ remarks came as the US officials announced on Thursday that Washington will deploy up to 200 troops to Israeli-occupied territories to establish a special task force aimed at supporting "stabilization efforts" in the Gaza Strip, while emphasizing that no American soldiers will be stationed inside Gaza.

According to senior US officials, the mission will operate under US Central Command (CENTCOM) and will be structured as a Civil-Military Coordination Center responsible for facilitating the flow of what is being described as humanitarian and security assistance into Gaza following the recent ceasefire agreement.

The deployment marks the first direct US military role tied to the Gaza ceasefire agreement; however, the US has been involved in setting up the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, deploying anti-ballistic air defenses, and providing endless military, financial, and diplomatic support to the Netanyahu government.

Australia has not yet received a formal invitation to participate in the mission, but the Defense Minister’s comments suggest a willingness to take part should such a request be made.

It is worth noting that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier the United Kingdom’s readiness to participate in the disarmament process of the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas, as well as to deploy ceasefire observers in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement from his office.

Opposition voices support for possible deployment

The idea of Australian involvement in regional peacekeeping operations has found backing among members of the opposition. Newly appointed Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonathan Duniam said Australia should remain open to joining the multinational effort.

“I think that's something we should be open to deploying,” Duniam told Sky News.

“We’ve done it elsewhere in the world. I know typically in our region that’s where we focus. But this is an important line in the sand moment for our world. We must be open to that. And of course, I think we should be putting our hand up to suggest that we want to be a part of this good outcome and preserving it into the future,” he stressed.

Canberra claims role in peace deal, faces opposition backlash

The Albanese government has asserted that it played a role in securing the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, despite criticism from opposition figures who argue that Australia’s involvement was counterproductive.

Special Minister of State Don Farrell told Sky News that Canberra had “certainly contributed” to the peace process, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had helped provide the “momentum” needed to achieve a ceasefire.

However, the opposition dismissed these claims. Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said: “Every decision that the Albanese government has made in the Middle East has been wrong,” calling it “completely wrong” for Labor to claim credit for the breakthrough.

UK backs Trump-led ceasefire framework

Australia's position aligns with the broader US-brokered peace initiative, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, who unveiled a 20-point plan on September 29 to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

The plan’s first phase was activated on October 9, when Hamas released Israeli captives and "Israel" withdrew its forces to a pre-agreed line inside the Gaza Strip. In return, hundreds of Palestinian detainees, including individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, were released by the occupation.

Trump’s proposal outlines the complete exclusion of Hamas and other Palestinian factions from Gaza’s future governance, suggesting instead a technocratic administration under international supervision, reportedly led by Trump himself.

On Monday, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in signing the "Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity".

Despite the truce, Gaza remains mired in a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread destruction, mass displacement, and critically limited access to aid. The future of governance in the besieged enclave remains uncertain, as no clear post-war political framework has been established.