The Ugandan parliament voted to authorize military deployment to Gaza as part of a broader international stabilization effort in the territory. The decision marks Uganda’s first official indication of participation in the International Stabilization Force for Gaza, with Morocco also committing to contribute personnel to the mission.
The proposed force, which originated from Trump’s Board of Peace in February, is designed to maintain security in Gaza following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The force is expected to comprise approximately 20,000 personnel and will be commanded by American Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who previously stated that the deployment would support “future prosperity and enduring peace” in the region.
The deployment would occur after Israel completes a phased withdrawal of its military forces from Gaza, according to a ceasefire agreement announced last week. That agreement includes provisions for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to cease military operations, while Hamas and allied groups commit to halting militant activities. The accord builds upon a broader ceasefire deal reached last year that initially ended major hostilities in the extended Israel-Hamas conflict.
Uganda’s decision prompted questions from some parliamentary opposition members regarding the country’s motivations and potential concerns related to its membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka supported the deployment by highlighting Uganda’s military experience from peacekeeping operations in other regions, including Somalia. Following the ceasefire agreement’s release, Israel indicated it held “serious security concerns” about the arrangement, which it communicated to the United States. Since the October ceasefire agreement took effect, Israeli operations have resulted in approximately 1,250 additional casualties.
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