Uganda and Burundi military officials visit Israel to discuss Gaza troop
deployment
[August 24, 2026]
By JOSEPH FALZETTA and SAM MEDNICK
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Military officials from Uganda and Burundi
visited Israel last week to discuss deploying troops to Gaza as part of
an international security force envisioned by U.S. President Donald
Trump’s Board of Peace for the fragile ceasefire, according to
officials.
A Board of Peace official told The Associated Press that Ugandan
officials joined a Burundian military delegation, and that Uganda is
finalizing details of its participation after its parliament approved
the troop contribution this month.
Nothing has been finalized with Burundi, but the official said they look
forward to starting the process.
“We shared significant knowledge with one another, and the Burundi
representatives expressed interest in our mission,” the official said,
speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to
discuss talks with potential troop-contributing countries ahead of any
agreement.
A Burundian military official told the AP that three other senior
military officers led the delegation to Israel and that Burundi appeared
intent on joining. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because
he was not authorized to speak to the media.
It was not clear what Uganda or Burundi might be offering or what they
might receive in return. Spokespersons for their militaries did not
respond to requests for comment.
Progress on the international force has been slow
If Burundi moves ahead, the African nations would be the latest to join
the international force for Gaza after Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and
Albania made commitments. Uganda has committed around 1,200 personnel,
and Morocco has committed up to 500. Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania in
total have committed around 80.
Indonesia earlier said it was preparing to send 8,000 troops — by far
the largest commitment — but put that on hold after the U.S. and Israel
attacked Iran.
The 20,000-strong force would be led by U.S. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers.
Troops committed remain far short of that goal.
Last month, Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to
withdraw its forces from Gaza. According to the deal, the International
Stabilization Force would be deployed to areas of the Palestinian
territory administered by an incoming technocratic committee, and
Israeli forces would withdraw.
The force would help monitor the ceasefire, train Palestinian police and
secure the delivery of aid, among other tasks.
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The Israeli army demolishes buildings east of Deir al-Balah, central
Gaza Strip, Saturday Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
The ceasefire that took effect in Gaza last October has stalled due
to disagreements regarding Israel’s withdrawal from the strip and
Hamas’ disarmament. A U.S. delegation met for hours earlier this
month with the Hamas leader and then with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to press them forward. Hamas has agreed to the
new U.S. deal.
Netanyahu has rejected it, saying Israel will not withdraw from any
of the roughly 60% of the territory it controls in Gaza until Hamas
has been completely disarmed. Even after Netanyahu's meeting with
the U.S. team, which included negotiator Jared Kushner, officials
offered no concrete commitment by Israel.
Uganda and Burundi have peacekeeping experience from Somalia
Paul D. Williams, director of the security policy studies program at
The George Washington University, said Uganda and Burundi have
gained considerable peacekeeping experience through long-term
deployments in Somalia as part of an African Union force resisting
the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group.
Their countries' leaderships have “shown they are willing to
tolerate high numbers of casualties without withdrawing,” he said.
Williams added that, with the mission in Somalia winding down, both
countries will be searching for ways to accrue financial and
material support for their militaries: “Deploying to Gaza with U.S.
support is one way to do that."
A Ugandan military officer with knowledge of the upcoming deployment
said troops were being selected to go to Gaza. The officer spoke on
condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to
the press.
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Falzetta reported from Nairobi, Kenya.
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