Albania and Kosovo Prepare to Deploy Troops to Gaza

Albania has finalized an agreement to participate in International Stabilization Forces in the Gaza Strip, with liaison officers potentially arriving as early as November, according to the U.S.-backed Board of Peace. The agreement focuses on supporting security operations and operational planning, though the exact size and deployment timeline for the Albanian contingent remain undisclosed. Kosovo has also affirmed its readiness to send troops to Gaza, pending deployment authorization. The Kosovar contingent will include explosive ordnance disposal specialists, a commander serving as a liaison officer, and staff personnel. Kosovar military personnel have already undergone training, and representatives from the country have previously visited Gaza to assess mission conditions. Kosovo signed its participation agreement in September, joining nations like Morocco and Kazakhstan. The deployment of international forces has faced repeated delays, and disagreements persist between Israel and the Board of Peace regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the reconstruction of Gaza. Israel insists on the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the sector before these processes can begin.