Uganda, Burundi Officials Visit Israel Over Gaza Troop Deployment: Reports

Military officials from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel last week to discuss potential troop deployments to Gaza as part of an international stabilisation force envisioned by US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.

A Board of Peace official told AP that Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation during the visit. Uganda is now finalising details of its participation after Parliament approved the deployment this month. Nothing has been finalised with Burundi, although a Burundian military official said the country appeared intent on joining.

Uganda Gets Approval

Uganda's Parliament approved the deployment as part of the international force established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803.

Lawmakers raised concerns over the risks of sending troops to Gaza, describing the territory as a difficult operational environment where distinguishing civilians from combatants could be challenging. UPDF officials defended the deployment as part of Uganda's wider contribution to international peace and security.

Uganda has committed around 1,200 personnel, according to AP, making it one of the larger contributions currently planned for the force. Morocco has committed up to 500, while Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have together committed around 80 personnel.

Burundi Considers Joining

Burundi has not formally committed troops, but its military delegation's visit to Israel signals interest in joining the mission.

A Board of Peace official said Burundi's representatives "expressed interest in our mission" after discussions with Ugandan officials and others. A Burundian military official also told AP that three senior officers led the delegation and that Burundi appeared intent on joining.

It remains unclear what either country would provide beyond the potential troop contributions or what arrangements they might receive in return. Neither country's military spokespersons responded to AP requests for comment.

What The Force Will Do

The proposed International Stabilization Force is part of Trump's Gaza plan, under which Hamas would disarm and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.

The force is intended to monitor the ceasefire, train Palestinian police and help secure humanitarian aid. It is envisaged as a 20,000-strong force commanded by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, although commitments remain well below that target. Indonesia had earlier announced plans to contribute 8,000 troops but later put its deployment on hold following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Uganda's Peacekeeping Role

Uganda's Gaza deployment builds on its wider military participation in regional peacekeeping operations.

The Uganda People's Defence Forces recently hosted an Eastern Africa Standby Force verification exercise to assess troops, police and civilian personnel pledged for peace-support operations. The UPDF said the exercise was designed to ensure rapid deployment and interoperability under the regional security framework.

The planned Gaza mission would therefore extend Uganda's existing peace-support role into the Middle East, while Burundi's interest could add another African contributor to an international force whose deployment is still some way short of its proposed strength.