Kosovo has formally agreed to join the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, signing a participation accord on Monday in Pristina. The agreement was finalized by Kosovo Security Force Commander Lieutenant-General Bashkim Jashari and US ISF Commander Major-General Jasper Jeffers, marking the Balkan nation's entry into the United Nations-mandated multinational coalition.
The development aligns Pristina with President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, a US-Israeli framework introduced a year ago to conclude the conflict in Gaza. According to a statement issued by the US-backed Board of Peace, the inclusion of Kosovo reflects the Muslim-majority nation's ongoing support for the diplomatic roadmap designed to oversee demilitarisation, security training, and post-conflict stabilization.
Formal Accord Signed in Pristina
The formal signing ceremony brought together top military commanders to cement Kosovo's troop contribution to the Gaza mission. The Participating Country Agreement establishes the official framework for the Balkan state's involvement alongside other contributing nations already committed to the coalition.
Countries confirmed to be contributing troops to the multinational effort include Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Albania, and Uganda. Turkiye, however, will not participate in the stabilization force after Israel formally vetoed Ankara’s involvement in the security mission.
Financing and Operational Structure
The ISF initiative is backed by significant financial commitments from Washington, designed to equip and deploy the multinational units. In August, the Trump administration notified Congress of a planned commitment exceeding $206 million dedicated to funding equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and essential operational costs.
An additional $6 million has been allocated to repurpose United States armored vehicles specifically to support the force on the ground. Nikolay Mladenov, high representative for the Board of Peace, noted last month that the board has successfully determined the deployment mechanism and locations for the stabilization units within the Gaza Strip, adding that advance elements should arrive soon.
Persistent Deployment Roadblocks
Despite the signing of troop agreements and financial allocations, the deployment of the ISF continues to face significant logistical and political hurdles. Disagreements regarding the precise timing of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas have delayed immediate deployment schedules.
Speaking on Monday, Nikolay Mladenov stressed that Israel must fully implement its commitments under the peace roadmap for the diplomatic and security process to advance. "We are still at the point at which we need to make sure that what has been agreed is going to be implemented and is going to change significantly the lives of the people in Gaza," Mladenov said, acknowledging that the process has not yet reached that operational milestone.
Israel Coordination and Future Outlook
While diplomatic friction persists, the Israeli government approved key legal measures in July to authorize the entry of the ISF into Gaza. According to reports from the Times of Israel, an official confirmed that the multinational force will operate in full coordination with the Israeli military once deployed.
Discussions between the Board of Peace and Israeli authorities remain ongoing regarding the implementation phase of required commitments. As international stakeholders attempt to clear remaining roadblocks, the arrival timeline for the force's advance elements relies heavily on resolved timelines for military withdrawal and disarmament.
