Uganda, Burundi Discuss Troops for Gaza Force

Military officials from Uganda and Burundi traveled to Israel last week for discussions on contributing troops to a proposed international security force for the Gaza Strip, marking a significant step in efforts to build the multinational mission. The talks, held at U.S. command headquarters in the region, come after Uganda’s parliament authorized a deployment in early August, making it the first sub-Saharan African nation to commit personnel to the force. The deployment is part of a plan envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to support a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The proposed International Stabilization Force is intended to number 20,000 troops and would be commanded by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers. Its mandate would include monitoring the ceasefire, training Palestinian police, and helping secure the delivery of humanitarian aid in areas of Gaza administered by an incoming technocratic committee after Israeli forces withdraw. Uganda has committed approximately 1,200 personnel to the mission. Its parliament approved the deployment on August 6, following a request from President Trump to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.