Uganda Moves to Send 1,200 Troops to Gaza as International Force Takes Shape
Uganda is preparing to contribute about 1,200 personnel to a proposed international security force for Gaza, while Burundi is considering whether to join the mission as efforts to assemble the planned 20,000-strong force gather momentum.
Military officials from Uganda and Burundi reportedly traveled to Israel last week for discussions on their potential participation. The talks focused on how the two East African countries could contribute to the international force proposed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
A Board of Peace official said Ugandan officials took part in the discussions alongside a Burundian military delegation. Uganda is now working through the final details of its participation after its parliament approved the troop contribution earlier this month.
Burundi, meanwhile, has yet to make a formal commitment, although a senior Burundian military official indicated that the country was moving closer to participating.
Uganda Prepares 1,200 Personnel
Uganda has approved approximately 1,200 personnel for the proposed Gaza mission, according to officials familiar with the preparations.
A Ugandan military officer said troops were already being selected in anticipation of a possible deployment. The final arrangements, including the exact responsibilities and operational framework, are still being worked out.
The Burundian delegation included several senior military officers, signaling growing interest in the proposed international force. However, Burundi has not publicly confirmed how many personnel it could contribute or what financial and logistical arrangements would accompany any deployment.
International Force Still Short of Target
The proposed International Stabilization Force is expected to eventually include about 20,000 troops and would be led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers.
But the mission remains significantly short of its target.
Morocco has pledged as many as 500 personnel, while Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have reportedly committed a combined total of around 80 troops.
Indonesia had previously indicated that it was preparing to deploy approximately 8,000 personnel. Those plans were later suspended following the U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran.
The limited commitments highlight the political and security challenges involved in building an international force capable of operating in Gaza.
What Would the Force Do in Gaza?
Under the U.S.-backed proposal, international troops would operate in areas of Gaza administered by an incoming technocratic committee following an Israeli military withdrawal.
The force would have several responsibilities, including monitoring the ceasefire, supporting humanitarian operations and helping train Palestinian police.
It would also be expected to contribute to maintaining security as part of a wider plan to stabilize Gaza.
A central element of the proposal is the disarmament of Hamas, making the force’s deployment closely tied to one of the most difficult issues in negotiations over the future of Gaza.
Gaza Ceasefire Remains Uncertain
The ceasefire that began last October remains fragile, with major disagreements continuing over Israel’s withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas.
Hamas has accepted the latest U.S. proposal, according to officials familiar with the negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has rejected an immediate withdrawal from approximately 60% of Gaza currently under Israeli control.
Netanyahu has maintained that Hamas must first be fully disarmed.
U.S. officials have continued efforts to bridge the differences between the two sides, but a firm Israeli commitment to the proposed withdrawal has yet to emerge.
That uncertainty presents a major obstacle to deploying the international force.
Why Uganda and Burundi Could Play a Major Role
Uganda and Burundi are not new to difficult peacekeeping operations.
Both countries have contributed troops for years to African Union missions in Somalia, where forces have fought al-Shabab and operated in some of the region’s most dangerous security environments.
Paul D. Williams, a security analyst at George Washington University, said the two countries have demonstrated a willingness to sustain challenging overseas deployments while accepting significant risks and casualties.
The gradual drawdown of the Somalia mission could also give Uganda and Burundi an incentive to pursue new military partnerships and sources of international financing.
For Uganda, participating in a Gaza stabilization mission could therefore represent both a diplomatic opportunity and a continuation of its long-standing role in international peacekeeping.
Africa’s Role in Gaza Could Expand
If Uganda and Burundi ultimately participate, African countries would take a more prominent role in the proposed international security arrangement for Gaza.
Uganda’s planned contribution of around 1,200 personnel would make it one of the larger contributors currently associated with the mission.
But assembling the full 20,000-strong force remains a significant challenge.
Questions over troop numbers, financing, rules of engagement, Israel’s withdrawal, Hamas’ disarmament and the political authority governing Gaza must all be resolved before the force can become operational.
For now, Uganda is moving ahead with preparations while Burundi weighs its options.
The next stage could determine whether the proposed international force becomes a functioning security mechanism in Gaza—or remains another plan stalled by the region’s unresolved political and military disputes.
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