Burundi and Uganda to Deploy Around 2,000 Troops to Gaza Peace Force
Burundi has decided to send 500 to 800 soldiers to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, while Uganda is expected to deploy 1,200 troops. Officers from both nations recently toured the Rafah area.
Burundi has officially decided to join the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip, planning to deploy between 500 and 800 soldiers. Uganda is also projected to send approximately 1,200 troops in several phases. If finalized, these East African nations will contribute the largest military contingents to the multinational force to date.
Last month, military officers from both Burundi and Uganda entered the Gaza Strip to conduct reconnaissance patrols in the Rafah area, assessing the operational ground conditions for the upcoming deployment.
Financial Incentives and Diplomatic Goals
For Burundi, recognized as one of the world's poorest nations, the deployment offers crucial economic and diplomatic opportunities. A Burundian diplomat confirmed that the country will receive direct funding for troop salaries, disability and death compensations, and specialized training budgets.
Michael Fichtenberg, former Honorary Consul of Burundi in Israel, explained the economic scale:
"Amounts that seem minor to other countries can be highly significant in Burundi, where the average monthly wage is only a few dozen dollars."
According to Burundian officials, the international peace council managing the force initiated the request. Beyond financial compensation, Burundi aims to strengthen its diplomatic ties with the United States and elevate its global standing through this mission.
Military Experience and Israeli Relations
Burundi possesses extensive experience in peacekeeping operations, having previously deployed 5,000 troops to Somalia and additional forces to the Central African Republic. Sources familiar with the matter noted that the Burundian military has a high tolerance for operational casualties and specialized training in counter-insurgency warfare.
Bilateral relations between Israel and Burundi remain strong. Former Israeli Ambassador to Burundi Alali Admasu described the nation as a reliable ally. In exchange for its participation, Burundi expects to expand cooperation with Israel in security, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
Uganda's involvement progresses in tandem, with the two nations operating as a "package deal" due to their history of joint deployments. Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has previously expressed strong pro-Israel sentiments and indicated readiness to deploy forces.
The Stabilization Plan
The deployment of Burundian and Ugandan forces is part of ongoing efforts to implement the Trump administration's post-war plan for Gaza. Five nations—Bosnia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Albania, and Indonesia—have officially joined the ISF, while Georgia and Vietnam remain in active negotiations.
Under the stabilization blueprint, the multinational force is designed to act as the sole armed military authority inside the Gaza Strip, tasked with securing decommissioned Hamas weaponry and monitoring the ceasefire. However, the force remains far below its target of 10,000 troops, and sources estimate that no significant ground deployment will occur before October.
