Bosnia says it is ready to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza

2026-01-07 15:23:47, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina - which oversees the Bosnian Armed Forces - has agreed in principle to deploy Bosnian troops to the Gaza Strip as part of the International Stabilization Force peacekeeping mission.

The Bosnian Minister of Defense should notify the United States of Bosnia's readiness to send members of the Bosnian Armed Forces to the International Stabilization Force mission in Gaza, once the legal procedures related to this decision have been completed.

"The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina is tasked with carrying out the process of appointing the military representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the International Stabilization Force mission in Gaza and submitting a proposal for a decision on his appointment to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina," the decision of the Bosnian Presidency states.

The Bosnian Council of Ministers is also tasked with presenting to the Bosnian Presidency an assessment of the rationale for the participation of members of the Bosnian Armed Forces in the peacekeeping mission in Gaza.

On November 17 of last year, the United Nations Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution also authorizes this International Stabilization Force for the Palestinian enclave.

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas - which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and other powers - have agreed to the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, a ceasefire in their two-year war and a deal to release hostages.

However, the UN resolution is seen as essential for legitimizing the interim governing body and providing guarantees to countries that are considering sending troops to Gaza.

The text of the resolution says that member states can participate in the Peace Committee chaired by Trump, which is intended as a transitional body that will oversee the reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza.

Meanwhile, the task of the International Stabilization Force is to ensure the demilitarization process of Gaza, including the destruction of weapons and military infrastructure.

The resolution is part of the second phase of the Trump administration's peace plan for Gaza.

The second phase envisages the creation of a transitional administration (Peace Committee), the end of Hamas rule in Gaza, and the complete demilitarization of the enclave, which Hamas has not yet accepted.

The International Stabilization Force will be deployed in agreement with Israel and Egypt, and the US is in talks with several countries about participating in the mission, without sending American troops.

Countries mentioned so far include Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

The resolution also provides financial support for the reconstruction of Gaza through the World Bank and a special fund.

The Bosnian Armed Forces have previously participated in peacekeeping missions around the world and currently three members are in the Central African Republic. /REL