Leaked U.S. documents reveal that several Arab states expanded security cooperation with Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, even as they publicly condemned the war. According to The Washington Post, these military collaborations have been facilitated over the past three years, with meetings between senior officials from Israel and six Arab nations taking place in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar. The efforts, orchestrated with the involvement of U.S. military officials, focused on coordinated planning and intelligence sharing.
The reports show that these ties faced disruption following Israel’s airstrike on Hamas leaders in Qatar in September. Despite this, the cooperation could now play a role in implementing the nascent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was announced this week. As reported by Reuters, the first phase of the peace framework includes the release of hostages held by Hamas and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
U.S. officials confirmed that 200 troops would be sent to Israel to support the ceasefire, alongside soldiers from some of the Arab countries involved in the longstanding security cooperation. The documents indicate that the participating Arab states had already expressed support for former President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict. The plan envisages the deployment of an international force to train a new Palestinian police force and establish mechanisms to safeguard security across the region.
A Strategic Approach Under The Radar
The leaked files highlight Qatar as a key player in this quiet military alignment. Despite suffering Israeli airstrikes in September, Qatar hosted a meeting at al-Udeid Air Base in May 2024 where Israeli and Arab military officials convened. The documents note that the Israeli delegation was flown directly to the air base, bypassing civilian entry points to avoid public exposure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later apologized to Qatar for the strikes, following U.S. intervention, and pledged not to repeat such attacks.
The coordination appears to have been largely driven by concerns over Iran and its allied militias. One U.S. document labeled Iran and its regional proxies as the “Axis of Evil,” while another included maps showing missile positions over Gaza and Yemen, where Iranian-aligned groups hold influence. The files suggest that countering this perceived threat has been a central motivating factor for the deeper military ties between Israel and the Arab states.
Despite these developments, the Arab countries involved have been cautious in publicly committing troops for deployment under the international plan. A joint statement from five of the six countries confirmed support for creating a mechanism that “guarantees the security of all sides,” but made no direct mention of sending forces.
According to the documents, the U.S. military’s Central Command (Centcom) played a central role in facilitating these engagements. Analysts suggest that these long-term collaborations, while discreet, could influence regional security dynamics and the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza.
Published: Oct 11, 2025 01:35 pm