Kosovo government approves proposal to send security forces to Gaza

The Kosovo Government has approved the Ministry of Defense's proposal to send members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to Gaza, paving the way for the decision to be submitted for consideration and adoption by the Kosovo Assembly.

According to current laws, after a decision by the executive branch, the issue is forwarded to members of parliament for consideration and voting, while ultimately the approval of the president of the state is required.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated at a government meeting that Kosovo is ready to participate and help the people of Gaza, "because we ourselves have been and are beneficiaries of assistance from international forces since 1999."

Minister of Defense Ejup Macedonci emphasized that with this engagement, Kosovo wants to show that it is a reliable partner and that it is ready to act together with allies to ensure peace and security.

"This decision further strengthens the international profile of our country, confirms the professionalism of the KSF and places our republic among the states that not only benefit from international security, but also continuously contribute to maintaining international peace and order," he said.

The decision to send troops was adopted with no votes against or abstentions.

It is expected that the deployment of KSF members will be implemented within the framework of the International Stabilization Force, a mechanism formed under the Peace Board initiative, proposed by US President Donald Trump, with the aim of achieving peace in the world.

Kosovo is among the first five countries – along with Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Albania – that have committed to participating in the mission, with the aim of ensuring security and monitoring the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

However, it is still unknown when exactly the troops will be deployed and how many there will be. The Ministry of Defense previously announced that a draft decision on the matter was forwarded to the Government on March 3rd.

The Kosovo Assembly is functional again after the Constitutional Court ruled on March 25 that President Vjosa Osmani's decree dissolving it due to the inability to elect a new president of the country has no legal effect.

The Assembly can now consider the issue of sending troops to Gaza, and must also approve an agreement on Kosovo's membership in the International Stabilization Force.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who was one of the founders of the Peace Committee initiative, has publicly supported the initiative. Her presidential term ends on April 4.

According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the International Stabilization Force is expected to begin deploying troops to Gaza in May, including dozens of soldiers from Kosovo, although institutions in Pristina have not officially confirmed that deadline.

Defense Minister Ejup Macedonci said that the initial plan is to send more than 20 soldiers specialized in various fields, including demining and unexploded ordnance disposal, special operations, planning, and medical teams.

The International Stabilization Force is expected to be tasked with stabilizing the security situation in Gaza, following the war that began in October 2023, when Hamas – designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union – attacked Israel, killing more than 1.200 people and taking hostages.

Subsequently, Israeli attacks on Gaza caused tens of thousands of casualties, a humanitarian crisis, and extensive destruction of infrastructure.

The plan to form these forces is part of a broader peace package, which has been accepted by the parties to the conflict.

This would not be the first time the KSF has deployed abroad. The force participated in a mission in Kuwait in 2021 in cooperation with US forces, and in the Falkland Islands in 2022, in cooperation with the United Kingdom.

The KSF is currently in the process of transforming into an army, which should be completed by 2028.