The initiative, reported by numerous Arabic-language media, is announced just before the Arab-Islamic summit to be held in Doha and during increased tensions over Israel s attack on Hamas officials in Qatar.

Lebanon s Al-Akhbar quoted a Cairo government official as confirming Egyptian officials are lobbying for regional support to implement the plan. London daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi further stated that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is lobbying for support for what he calls a defensive umbrella and not for an escalation against Israel.

Palestinian news source Ma an said that talks have involved the deployment of as many as 20,000 Egyptian forces and the nomination of an Egyptian four-star general as commander. Saudi Arabia is likely to be a main partner if the plan proceeds. Morocco and Algeria are also being looked at as possible contributors.

Negotiations are centered on command arrangement and rules of deployment. Cairo is exerting pressure to be in charge of the force, with a secondary command role potentially going to Saudi Arabia or another Gulf country. Officially, they reiterate that the makeup should be according to the demographics and militaries of the Arab countries involved while taking care of political sensitivities.

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The concept of an Arab rapid-reaction force was initially floated almost a decade ago but never took off. Reviving it now reflects Egypt s desire to be at the forefront of a renewed Arab security order.

Though no formal announcement has been made from Cairo as yet, the initiative already has its critics. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called it a "blow to peace frameworks," cautioning that it would undermine agreements with Israel.

For Egypt, though, the new push for it serves to underscore its determination to take the lead in regional security amid increasing instability.