Rabat and Gaza City are set to witness a significant development this week as Morocco formalized its commitment to joining the International Stabilization Force slated for deployment in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was signed in the presence of key figures including Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, high-ranking defense officials, and Nikolaï Mladenov, the Council of Peace for Gaza’s representative. The delegation also included the force’s commanding officer.
According to Moroccan defense authorities, this move underscores the country’s dedication to fostering peace and stability in the region through tangible humanitarian and security measures. The deployment will involve senior officers, gendarmerie members, and police personnel, alongside the establishment of a mobile military hospital in Gaza.
This agreement builds on Morocco’s prior commitment from February, when it became the first Arab nation to publicly pledge troops to the force. Moroccan officers have since been stationed at the force’s headquarters in southern Israel, contributing to preparatory efforts ahead of the deployment.
The pact, signed in Rabat, reflects a broader international effort to stabilize Gaza, with Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo also pledging support. However, Morocco is poised to be the first nation to send troops into the enclave. Under the proposed framework, Moroccan forces will play a key role in securing the boundaries of a planned humanitarian zone near Rafah, in southern Gaza. This area is intended to house temporary shelters and critical aid infrastructure, shielded by the international force.
The deployment timeline remains uncertain, as Israel must finalize legal agreements with each contributing country regarding the status of foreign troops in Gaza. Additionally, no definitive schedule has been set for the Rafah humanitarian zone, with construction potentially not beginning until early 2027.
In the interim, small delegations from participating nations continue preparations from a base in southern Israel. The force aims to support Gaza’s security transition, but its establishment hinges on broader discussions, including the disarmament of Hamas, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the organization of civilian administration in the territory.
