Uganda has committed about 1,200 military personnel to a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza, while Burundi is considering whether to join the mission, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The developments follow a visit by military officials from Uganda and Burundi to Israel, where they discussed possible contributions to the proposed force envisioned under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire framework.
Uganda Commits 1,200 Personnel
Uganda’s parliament approved the deployment of its military to Gaza earlier this month, clearing the way for the country to participate if the international force is established.
Officials said Uganda is now finalising the details of its contribution, with troops reportedly being selected for a potential deployment.
The proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) is expected to have around 20,000 personnel and is intended to help monitor a ceasefire, support security arrangements, train Palestinian police and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Burundi Weighs Participation
Burundi has not yet made a final commitment to the Gaza force, but its military delegation’s participation in the recent discussions in Israel signals growing interest in joining the mission.
A senior Burundian military delegation travelled to Israel alongside Ugandan officials to discuss the possible deployment and operational arrangements.
If Burundi proceeds, it would become another African country contributing to the proposed international security operation.
Force Still Far Short of Target
Despite the proposed 20,000-strong force, current troop commitments remain well below the target.
Morocco has pledged up to 500 personnel, while Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have collectively committed around 80. Indonesia had previously indicated plans to deploy thousands of troops but later suspended those preparations.
The shortage of committed troops remains one of several challenges facing the proposed mission.
Gaza Deployment Faces Challenges
The planned force is linked to a wider ceasefire and political framework that envisions international personnel helping to stabilise Gaza after an Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament.
However, major disagreements remain over the implementation of the plan. Reuters reported that the United States has allocated more than $206 million to support the proposed force, including funding for infrastructure, equipment and operations.
Questions also remain over the timing of deployment, the force’s mandate and the security conditions that would have to be established before troops could enter Gaza.
For Uganda and Burundi, participation would represent a significant expansion of their international peacekeeping roles. Both countries have extensive experience contributing troops to security operations in Africa, including missions in Somalia.
As discussions continue, Uganda’s 1,200-person commitment could provide a significant portion of the personnel needed to build the proposed force, while Burundi’s decision could further strengthen the African contribution to the Gaza security initiative.
