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Troops Discussed in Israel
Uganda and Burundi held talks in Israel about contributing troops to a proposed international security force for Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, with Uganda finalising details after parliament approved the deployment this month.
“Uganda is finalising plans to contribute around 1,200 troops to the Gaza force Burundi is considering joining”
Outlook India and Africanews both say the proposed International Stabilization Force is expected to be about 20,000-strong and led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, with Uganda committing around 1,200 personnel and Burundi still considering participation.
The sources also tie the force to a ceasefire plan in which Hamas would disarm and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, with the force tasked to monitor the ceasefire, train Palestinian police, and support humanitarian security in Gaza.
Africanews adds that the ceasefire that began in Gaza last October has stalled over disagreements on Israel’s withdrawal and Hamas’ disarmament, while Uganda’s parliament approved the troop contribution this month and Burundi has not made a formal commitment.
In the same reporting, a Board of Peace official said Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation during the visit to Israel, and the process remains unclear on what either country would provide beyond potential troop contributions.
Voices, Interest, and Uncertainty
India Today reports that a Board of Peace official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We shared significant knowledge with one another, and the Burundi representatives expressed interest in our mission."
The same India Today account says a Burundian military official told the Associated Press that three other senior military officers led the delegation to Israel and that Burundi appeared intent on joining, while spokespeople for their militaries did not respond to requests for comment.
Africanews frames Uganda’s role as already approved, saying Uganda has committed around 1,200 personnel and that a Ugandan military officer familiar with preparations said troops were already being selected for a potential deployment.
Africanews also emphasizes that Burundi has not yet made a formal commitment and that it remains unclear what participating countries could receive in return, even as a Board of Peace official said Burundi’s representatives expressed interest after discussions with Ugandan officials and others.
Together, the reporting portrays the talks as continuing while the ceasefire remains fragile, with Hamas agreeing to the latest U.S. proposal and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting an immediate withdrawal from the roughly 60% of Gaza under Israeli control until Hamas is fully disarmed.
What’s at Stake Next
The sources describe the force’s mission as tied to the post-withdrawal and transitional phase, with the International Stabilization Force intended to deploy in parts of Gaza administered by an incoming technocratic committee after Israeli forces withdraw.
“The force would be tasked with helping monitor the ceasefire, training Palestinian police”
Africanews says the force would be tasked with helping monitor the ceasefire, training Palestinian police, supporting security and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, while the arrangement also envisages Hamas disarming as part of a broader effort to end the conflict.
Outlook India adds that the force is envisioned as a 20,000-strong mission commanded by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, but that commitments remain well below that target, with Morocco committed up to 500 and Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania together committed around 80.
The reporting also links the next steps to political and operational hurdles, noting that Uganda’s parliament approved the deployment this month while nothing has been finalised with Burundi, and that neither country’s military spokespersons responded to AP requests for comment.
Finally, India Today and Africanews both connect the Gaza troop discussions to the broader ceasefire dispute, with Netanyahu rejecting withdrawal until Hamas is fully disarmed and U.S. officials continuing diplomatic efforts, leaving the timeline for the force’s actual deployment undefined.