World News
Ugandan and Burundian military officials visit Israel to discuss Gaza peacekeeping force
African delegations hold talks on joining a proposed U.S.-led stabilization force for Gaza, though overall commitments remain well below target.
The short version
- Military delegations from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel to discuss deploying personnel to a planned International Stabilization Force in Gaza.
- Uganda has committed around 1,200 troops following parliamentary approval, while Burundi is considering participation but has not finalized an agreement.
- The planned 20,000-person force aims to monitor the ceasefire, train local police, and protect aid shipments, but overall troop pledges remain limited.
- Broader deployment plans face headwinds as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject the proposed withdrawal terms until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Key facts
- Ugandan and Burundian military delegations traveled to Israel to negotiate potential troop deployments for a proposed Gaza security mission overseen by the U.S. Board of Peace.[Associated Press]
- Uganda's parliament approved a deployment of roughly 1,200 personnel, and military officials are in the process of selecting personnel.[Associated Press]
- Other nations pledging personnel to the force include Morocco with up to 500, and Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo with approximately 80 combined, while an 8,000-troop commitment from Indonesia was placed on hold.[Associated Press]
- The international stabilization mission is designed to be a 20,000-member force commanded by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers.[Associated Press]
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to withdraw from roughly 60% of Gaza currently controlled by Israel until Hamas is fully disarmed, despite Hamas agreeing to the U.S. proposal.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Burundi will finalize its commitment and what specific resources or compensation either nation might receive remain unconfirmed.[Associated Press]
- It is unclear if or when the International Stabilization Force can deploy given the deadlock between Israel and the U.S. plan regarding Israeli withdrawal.[Associated Press]