Uganda, Burundi officials hold Israel talks on possible Gaza troop deployment
TEL AVIV, Israel — Uganda and Burundi sent military officials to Israel last week for talks on joining an international security force proposed for Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, officials said, as efforts to bolster the territory’s fragile ceasefire continue to move slowly.
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A Board of Peace official told The Associated Press that Ugandan officials accompanied a Burundian military delegation. Uganda is completing arrangements for its participation after its parliament approved contributing troops this month.
Burundi has not reached a final agreement, but the official said discussions could soon begin.
“We shared significant knowledge, and the Burundi representatives expressed interest in our mission,” the official said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss negotiations with potential troop-contributing countries before an agreement is reached.
A Burundian military official told the AP that the delegation was headed by three other senior military officers and that Burundi appeared determined to join the force. The official also spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to address the media.
It remains unclear what Uganda and Burundi would contribute or what support they might receive in exchange. Military spokespersons in both countries did not respond to requests for comment.
Progress on the international force has been slow
If Burundi proceeds, the two African countries would become the latest participants in the planned Gaza force. Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have already made commitments. Uganda has pledged about 1,200 personnel, while Morocco has offered up to 500. Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have committed roughly 80 troops combined.
Indonesia previously said it was preparing to send 8,000 troops, by far the largest contribution announced, but suspended the plan after the United States and Israel attacked Iran. U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers is expected to command the 20,000-member force, although current pledges remain well below that target.
Trump announced last month an agreement calling for Hamas to disarm and Israel to pull its forces out of Gaza. Under the plan, the International Stabilization Force would deploy to parts of the Palestinian territory overseen by an incoming technocratic committee, while Israeli forces would withdraw.
The force would be tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, training Palestinian police and helping protect the delivery of humanitarian aid, among other responsibilities.
The ceasefire that began in Gaza last October has stalled over disputes involving Israel’s withdrawal from the strip and Hamas’ disarmament. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation held hours of talks with the Hamas leader before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to move the agreement forward. Hamas has accepted the new U.S. proposal.
Netanyahu has rejected it, insisting that Israel will not leave any of the approximately 60% of Gaza under its control until Hamas is fully disarmed. Even after his meeting with the U.S. team, which included negotiator Jared Kushner, Israeli officials made no firm commitment to withdraw.
Uganda and Burundi have peacekeeping experience from Somalia
Paul D. Williams, director of the security policy studies program at The George Washington University, said Uganda and Burundi had developed extensive peacekeeping experience through years of deployments in Somalia. There, they served as part of an African Union force fighting the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.
The countries’ leaders have “shown they are willing to tolerate high numbers of casualties without withdrawing,” he said.
Williams said the winding down of the Somalia mission could also prompt both governments to seek additional financial and material support for their militaries. “Deploying to Gaza with U.S. support is one way to do that,” he said.
A Ugandan military officer familiar with the planned deployment said troops were being chosen for service in Gaza. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
