Kosovo signs up to US-led Gaza stabilisation force

What Happened

Kosovo signed a formal Participating Country Agreement on Monday to join the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, according to a social media post by the United States-backed Board of Peace. The agreement was signed by Kosovo Security Force Commander Lieutenant-General Bashkim Jashari and US ISF Commander Major-General Jasper Jeffers, formally establishing Kosovo's inclusion in the planned force. A Board of Peace statement said the signing underscores Kosovo's commitment to the ISF mission and its continued support for President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan. The article reports confirmed troop-contributing countries include Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Albania and Uganda, while Turkiye will not participate after Israel vetoed Ankara's involvement. Deployment of the ISF has met roadblocks due to disagreements on the timing of Israeli forces' withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Nikolay Mladenov, high representative for the Board of Peace, said Israel must implement its commitments under the Gaza peace roadmap for the process to move forward, telling the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency: 'Unfortunately, we're not there yet.' The US administration told Congress it is committing more than $206 million to the ISF, with an additional $6 million to repurpose US armored vehicles, according to Reuters.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Kosovo's accession expands the multinational coalition for post-conflict Gaza security, signalling broader buy-in for the US-Israeli 20-point plan. The ISF is central to that framework, which envisages demilitarisation and training a Palestinian police force. The roadblocks over Israeli withdrawal timing and Hamas disarmament highlight unresolved core disputes that could determine whether the stabilisation force can deploy. The US funding commitment of more than $206 million indicates Washington's investment in the mission, while Israel's veto of Turkiye shows political constraints on coalition composition.

Watch For

Monitor whether ISF advance elements arrive in Gaza 'soon' as Mladenov indicated, and whether Israel implements the commitments he said are required for deployment. Watch for further announcements on the timing of Israeli forces' withdrawal and any progress on Hamas disarmament negotiations. Additional countries may sign Participating Country Agreements. The US Congress and administration disbursement of the $206 million plus $6 million for armored vehicles will also indicate momentum.