UGANDA — Uganda has officially pledged 1,200 troops to a proposed international security force for Gaza, while Burundi continues to evaluate its participation in the expanding multinational mission. The high-level discussions, held recently in Israel, mark a significant step in assembling the 20,000-strong peacekeeping contingent aimed at stabilizing the region.
The proposed deployment is backed by US President Donald Trump’s board of peace, with Uganda finalizing its participation after its parliament approved the commitment of approximately 1,200 personnel earlier this month. While Burundi has not yet made a formal commitment, its delegation has explicitly expressed interest in joining the mission.
The international security force is tasked with a multifaceted mandate: monitoring the ceasefire, training Palestinian police, and securing the delivery of humanitarian aid. The operation will be led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, who is overseeing the ambitious target of mobilizing around 20,000 troops globally.
However, current international commitments remain well below that strategic goal. To date, Morocco has pledged up to 500 personnel, while Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania have collectively offered approximately 80 troops.
Advocates for the mission point to the deep regional expertise of the East African nations involved. Both Uganda and Burundi possess extensive peacekeeping experience in Somalia, where their troops have actively fought the al-Shabaab militant group. Security analysts suggest that a Gaza mission could successfully build upon this operational experience, provided the force is equipped with greater financial and military support from the international community.
Despite the growing momentum behind the security force, progress on the ground remains slow. Persistent disagreements over Israel’s withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas continue to pose significant threats to the fragile ceasefire, complicating the timeline for deploying the international contingent.
