Kosovo became the latest nation to formally commit to participating in the International Stabilization Force planned for Gaza, according to an agreement signed this week. The Balkan nation’s Security Force Commander Lieutenant-General Bashkim Jashari and US ISF Commander Major-General Jasper Jeffers signed the Participating Country Agreement, which formally integrates Kosovo into the multinational deployment.
The ISF initiative forms a central component of a US-Israeli framework agreement aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict. The proposed force would be responsible for maintaining stability in post-conflict Gaza, overseeing demilitarization efforts, and providing training to establish a Palestinian police force to manage local security. Several countries have already committed forces to the operation, including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Albania, and Uganda. Turkey’s participation was rejected after Israel objected to its involvement.
Israel’s government approved legal measures in July to permit the ISF’s entry into Gaza, with officials indicating the force would operate in coordination with the Israeli military. However, the deployment timeline has faced complications stemming from disputes regarding the timing of Israeli military withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas. Officials overseeing the peace process have emphasized that implementation of agreed commitments remains a critical obstacle.
Higher-level discussions continue between peace negotiators and Israeli officials regarding fulfillment of obligations under the roadmap. According to statements this week, advance elements of the force are expected to arrive in Gaza in the near term, following the determination of specific deployment mechanisms and locations. The Trump administration has allocated over $206 million to support the ISF’s operations, with funds designated for equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and operational expenses, along with an additional $6 million to adapt US armored vehicles for the force’s use.
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