Uganda and Burundi Discuss Gaza Stabilization Force Deployment

Military officials from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel and Rafah last week to discuss deploying troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The force, envisioned by Donald Trump through the Board of Peace, is designed to monitor a ceasefire, train Palestinian police, and secure humanitarian aid delivery. The US administration has allocated over $206 million to fund the mission, which is intended to reach 20,000 personnel under the leadership of US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers.

Uganda has committed approximately 1,200 personnel following parliamentary approval this month. Burundi has expressed strong interest and conducted site surveys, though it has not yet finalized a formal agreement. Other contributing nations include Morocco, which may send up to 500 troops, and Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania, which have combined commitments of around 80 personnel. Indonesia previously planned to contribute 8,000 troops but paused its commitment following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Operationalization of the ISF remains stalled due to a diplomatic deadlock. While Hamas has agreed to a US-brokered deal for disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the plan. Netanyahu insists Israel will not withdraw from the 60% of Gaza it currently controls until Hamas is completely disarmed. US Envoy Jared Kushner has attempted to mediate a breakthrough, but the disarmament effort remains stalled.