Morocco and Kosovo prepare 500 troops for Gaza stabilization mission

Friday 25 - 19:10

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco and Kosovo prepare 500 troops for Gaza stabilization mission

Preparations for the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza have entered a new phase, with Morocco and Kosovo expected to provide the first contingent of around 500 troops for the planned mission.

US Major General Jasper Jeffers, commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), said the advance contingent had been trained and equipped and was ready for deployment. He made the announcement during a briefing of the US-backed Board of Peace in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

Jeffers said the ISF headquarters is operating around the clock with more than 50 international military leaders and planners involved in preparations. Teams linked to the force have also conducted reconnaissance activities around Rafah as part of preparations for a possible deployment.

The Moroccan and Kosovar contingents are expected to form the first operational element of the multinational force, while additional units from countries including Albania and Kazakhstan are being prepared to join the mission. Morocco formally signed its participation agreement with the ISF in July, while Kosovo signed its own participation agreement in September.

The planned force is part of a broader framework for Gaza that combines security arrangements, the gradual transfer of responsibilities to Palestinian institutions and reconstruction efforts. Earlier plans presented by Jeffers envisaged a much larger international force, with a long-term target of up to 20,000 troops alongside the training of 12,000 Palestinian police officers.

A central element of the mission would be supporting the transition toward a Palestinian-led security structure. Jeffers has previously outlined a phased approach beginning with the deployment of international troops in Rafah, followed by expansion into other areas of Gaza and the development of local security capabilities.

The issue of disarmament remains one of the most difficult aspects of the proposed arrangement. The plan envisages the gradual removal or neutralization of weapons, tunnels and other military infrastructure before security responsibilities are transferred progressively to Palestinian institutions. The process would also be linked to the eventual withdrawal of Israeli forces under the broader framework.

The proposed Palestinian police force is another component of the security transition. According to Jeffers, more than 250,000 applications had been submitted for the planned force, with thousands of candidates undergoing security screening and initial training. The recruitment and vetting process is intended to create a locally based security structure capable of assuming responsibilities as the international mission expands.

Morocco's participation reflects a broader role in the Gaza stabilization and reconstruction framework. According to reporting on the Board of Peace briefing, Morocco's contribution is expected to include military personnel as well as civilian and humanitarian capabilities, including support related to medical services.

The international force is also expected to support conditions for reconstruction, although its deployment remains dependent on political and security arrangements on the ground. Previous assessments have highlighted disagreements over disarmament, the timetable for an Israeli military withdrawal and the transition to Palestinian administration as major obstacles to implementation.

The Board of Peace has presented the stabilization force as part of a wider effort to create the security conditions needed for Gaza's recovery. The initiative includes temporary housing, infrastructure rehabilitation, medical services, debris removal and other reconstruction projects, while international donors are being asked to provide the necessary financing.

For Morocco and Kosovo, the preparation of the initial contingent marks a concrete step in their participation in the planned multinational mission. However, the exact timetable for the deployment of the 500 troops has not been publicly established, leaving the next stage dependent on the security environment and the implementation of the broader Gaza framework.