The Peace Board has welcomed the decision of the Government of Kosovo to deploy members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to Gaza, describing it as a strong commitment to peace and reconstruction.
In a post on the social platform X, the Peace Board expressed its support:
“The Peace Board welcomes the strong commitment of the Government of Kosovo to advance peace and reconstruction in Gaza.”
According to current legislation, following the government’s decision, the matter is forwarded to the Assembly of Kosovo for review and voting, and ultimately requires the approval of the President.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti, during the government meeting, stated:
“We are ready to participate and help the people of Gaza, as we ourselves have been and continue to be beneficiaries of international forces since 1999.”
Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci emphasized that through this engagement, Kosovo aims to demonstrate that it is a reliable partner ready to act alongside allies in support of peace and security.
“This decision further strengthens our country’s international profile, affirms the professionalism of the KSF, and places our republic among states that not only benefit from international security but also continuously contribute to maintaining peace and international order,” he said.
The decision to deploy troops was approved unanimously, with no votes against or abstentions.
Deployment Under International Stabilization Force
The deployment is expected to take place within the framework of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), a mechanism created as part of the Peace Board initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to promote global peace.
Kosovo is among the first five countries — alongside Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Albania — to commit to this mission, aimed at providing security and overseeing the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
However, the exact timing and number of troops to be deployed remain unclear. The Ministry of Defense previously confirmed that the proposal had been submitted to the government on March 3.
The decision comes after the Constitutional Court’s ruling on March 25, which enabled the functioning of the Assembly and opened the way for addressing such matters.
In addition to authorizing troop deployment, the Assembly must also approve Kosovo’s membership agreement in the Peace Board.
President Vjosa Osmani, one of the founders of the Peace Board, has publicly supported the initiative. Her presidential mandate ends on April 4.
According to reports by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the ISF is expected to begin operations in Gaza in May, potentially including dozens of soldiers from Kosovo, although this timeline has not been officially confirmed by authorities in Pristina.
Minister Maqedonci stated that initially more than 20 specialized troops are planned to be deployed, including units for demining and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), special operations, planning, and medical teams.
Officials confirmed ongoing coordination with ISF structures and the appointment of a liaison officer to prepare for deployment.
Background and Previous Missions
The ISF is expected to focus on stabilizing the security situation in Gaza following the war that began in October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hostages.
Subsequent Israeli operations in Gaza caused tens of thousands of casualties, a humanitarian crisis, and extensive infrastructure damage.
This would not be the first overseas deployment for the KSF. In 2021, it participated in a mission in Kuwait alongside U.S. forces, and in 2022 in the Falkland Islands in cooperation with the United Kingdom.
The KSF is currently undergoing a transformation into a full army, a process expected to be completed by 2028.
Additional Government Decisions
At the end of the meeting, the government also approved several other decisions, including a financial reward for the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) following Kosovo’s playoff victory that brings it closer to World Cup qualification.
Additionally, the government approved the payment of a 13th salary for approximately 91,200 public sector employees at both local and central levels.
