Albania has formalised its participation in a US-backed international security mission for Gaza, while Kosovo says its military personnel are ready to deploy. But political disagreements over Hamas’s disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals are keeping the multinational operation on hold.
TIRANA/PRISTINA, Oct. 26 (BalkanView) – Albania has signed an agreement to participate in an international stabilisation force for Gaza, while Kosovo has confirmed that its troops are ready to deploy once the mission becomes operational, according to statements reported by The Times of Israel.
The developments mark growing involvement by two Balkan countries in US President Donald Trump’s postwar plan for Gaza, although the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) has yet to begin operations.
Albania signed its participation agreement on Friday, October 23, at a ceremony attended by the force’s commander, US Major General Jasper Jeffers, and senior Albanian defence officials.
The US-backed Board of Peace, which oversees implementation of the Gaza plan, said Albania would contribute security operations support and operational planning capabilities.
Albanian liaison officers are expected to arrive in the region in November.
The Board did not disclose how many personnel Albania would eventually contribute or when they might enter Gaza.
Kosovo confirms military readiness
Kosovo’s Defence Ministry told The Times of Israel that its planned contingent was prepared for deployment but was awaiting confirmation that the international force could receive it.
The contingent includes an explosive ordnance disposal team, a commander serving as liaison officer and additional support personnel.
The ministry did not disclose the total number of troops.
Kosovo said the deployment timetable would be determined by the ISF in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Its explosive ordnance disposal specialists are expected to contribute to efforts to identify and neutralise unexploded munitions, a major challenge in Gaza following years of fighting.
Kosovo Security Force personnel conducted a reconnaissance visit to Gaza on April 26 to assess the proposed operational area.
Partner forces subsequently provided training to Kosovar personnel in May.
A small Kosovo military delegation also travelled to Israel in July as part of preparations for the mission.
Kosovo formally signed its participation agreement on September 7.
Balkan countries join broader international effort
Albania and Kosovo are among several countries preparing to contribute to the multinational force, alongside Morocco and Kazakhstan.
According to a Board of Peace official cited by The Times of Israel, as many as 500 Moroccan personnel have undergone training organised by the ISF since late August.
The proposed force forms part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which envisages an international security presence to help stabilise Gaza after the war.
Its intended responsibilities include securing areas vacated by Israeli forces, supporting disarmament arrangements, training Palestinian police and protecting humanitarian operations.
The force is also expected to facilitate the work of a Palestinian technocratic committee that would administer the territory.
For Albania and Kosovo, participation would represent a contribution to a US-led international security initiative outside their immediate region.
Why deployment remains delayed
Despite the agreements and military preparations, the force has not yet entered Gaza.
Israel’s security cabinet approved a legal framework in July that would allow the limited entry of approximately 200 international troops, subject to further Israeli approval.
The initial deployment was expected to focus on a proposed humanitarian zone near Rafah in southern Gaza.
However, disagreements over the force’s operational arrangements have prevented the mission from moving forward.
One unresolved issue concerns a proposed ISF base near the Yellow Line, on the Israeli-controlled side of Gaza.
Broader differences remain over the sequence of Hamas’s disarmament, Israeli military withdrawals and reconstruction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must be fully disarmed and Gaza demilitarised before Israeli withdrawals and reconstruction proceed.
The Board of Peace has instead advocated a phased withdrawal linked to verified progress on disarmament.
The disagreement has complicated efforts to establish the international force and determine when participating countries can send their personnel.
Albania prepares for November, Kosovo awaits authorisation
Albania’s immediate contribution will focus on liaison and planning functions, with officers expected to deploy to the region next month.
Kosovo, meanwhile, says its military team is ready but cannot proceed until the ISF confirms that the mission is prepared to receive it.
A Board of Peace official expressed hope that negotiations with Israeli authorities would advance following Israel’s elections this week.
For now, both Balkan countries have taken formal steps towards participation, but neither has announced an operational deployment of its contingent inside Gaza.
The timing will depend on whether the United States, Israel and the other parties involved can resolve the outstanding security and political disagreements.