Arab nations reconsider NATO-style military bloc amid regional escalation

Arab nations are reportedly reconsidering a long-dormant Egyptian proposal to establish a joint military force, as regional concerns escalate following Israel’s recent strike on the Qatari capital, Doha, which targeted senior Hamas figures.

Originally proposed in 2015 at an Arab League summit in Sharm El Sheikh, the initiative envisioned a NATO-style force composed of troops and arms from member states. Although adopted in principle, disagreements over command structure and headquarters stalled further progress. At the time, the proposal responded to Iran-backed Houthi advances in Yemen. Instead, a Saudi-led coalition was formed to support Yemen’s government, The News International reports.

Now, Cairo is pushing to revive the idea, seeking to host the headquarters of the force. Egypt, which possesses the Middle East’s largest army, has proposed that the commander’s post rotate among the 22 Arab League members, starting with an Egyptian general. A civilian secretary-general would oversee administrative operations.

According to sources, the envisioned force would comprise naval, air, and ground units, along with elite counterterrorism commandos. Its mandate would include peacekeeping and rapid response operations across Arab states.

Meanwhile, a new poll presented by the Shield of Abraham at a regional security conference reveals that most Israelis oppose unilateral annexation of the West Bank and favor deeper ties with moderate Arab countries. Seventy-two percent view the preservation and expansion of the Abraham Accords as a core national interest, while 57 percent warned that extended military operations in Gaza could harm regional diplomacy.

Notably, 78 percent of Israelis back a new diplomatic initiative—potentially led by former U.S. President Donald Trump—focused on ending the war, releasing hostages, normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia, and forming a regional coalition against Iran.

Across the Atlantic, Canadian Jewish attitudes toward Israel appear to be shifting. According to Ben Murane, executive director of the New Israel Fund of Canada, most Canadian Jews support a two-state solution and oppose Israel’s current government.

By Vafa Guliyeva