Military officials from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel last week for talks on deploying troops to Gaza as part of an international security force proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, officials said.
A Board of Peace official told The media that Ugandan officials accompanied a Burundian military delegation during the visit. Uganda is now working to finalize details of its participation after its parliament approved the deployment of troops earlier this month.
No agreement has been reached with Burundi, but the official said discussions with the country were expected to move forward.
The official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss negotiations with potential troop-contributing countries, said the talks involved an exchange of significant information and that Burundian representatives showed interest in the mission.
A senior Burundian military official said three other high-ranking officers accompanied the delegation to Israel and indicated that Burundi appeared interested in joining the force. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
It remains unclear how many troops Uganda or Burundi could provide or what incentives they might receive. Military spokespersons in both countries did not respond to requests for comment.
International force faces delays
If Burundi joins, it would become the latest country to commit personnel to the proposed Gaza force. Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have already pledged troops. Uganda has committed about 1,200 personnel, while Morocco has offered up to 500. Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have collectively pledged about 80 troops.
Indonesia had earlier announced plans to send 8,000 troops, the largest proposed contribution, but suspended the deployment after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
The proposed force is expected to comprise about 20,000 personnel and be commanded by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers. Current commitments remain well below that target.
Trump announced last month an agreement calling for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. Under the plan, the International Stabilization Force would operate in parts of Gaza administered by an incoming technocratic committee, while Israeli troops would pull back.
The force would be tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, training Palestinian police and helping ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Gaza ceasefire, which took effect last October, has faced repeated obstacles over disagreements about an Israeli withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation held lengthy talks with Hamas’ leadership before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to advance the agreement.
Hamas has accepted the latest U.S. proposal, while Netanyahu has rejected it, saying Israel will not withdraw from the roughly 60% of Gaza currently under its control until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Even after Netanyahu met with the U.S. delegation, which included negotiator Jared Kushner, Israeli officials made no firm commitment to a withdrawal.
Uganda, Burundi bring Somalia experience
Paul D. Williams, director of the security policy studies program at George Washington University, said Uganda and Burundi have extensive peacekeeping experience from years of deployments in Somalia as part of an African Union mission fighting the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group.
Their governments have demonstrated a willingness to sustain significant casualties without pulling their forces out, Williams said.
He also noted that as the Somalia mission winds down, both countries may seek additional financial and logistical support for their militaries.
“Deploying to Gaza with U.S. support is one way to do that,” Williams said.
A Ugandan military officer familiar with preparations for the mission said troops were being selected for possible deployment to Gaza. The officer spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.