The Kingdom of Morocco has officially formalized its participation in the International Stabilization Force slated for deployment in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was signed in Rabat in the presence of Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, senior defense officials, and Nikolai Mladenov, Special Representative of the Gaza Peace Council. The Moroccan delegation included the commander designated for the mission.
According to the Moroccan Ministry of Defense, this commitment reflects a shared determination to support both humanitarian and security efforts aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the region. Rabat has pledged to contribute high-ranking officers, gendarmerie personnel, and police units. Additionally, plans include setting up a mobile military field hospital within Gaza to provide medical assistance.
While the agreement marks an important step, it largely formalizes a commitment Morocco made earlier. In February, Rabat announced its intention to provide personnel for the force, becoming the first Arab nation to publicly commit to such a contribution. Since then, Moroccan officers have been stationed at the force’s headquarters in southern Israel, assisting with preparatory operations.
Joining Morocco in this initiative are Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo, though Morocco is positioned to be the first to deploy troops on the ground. 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 essential aid infrastructure under the protection of the international force.
The actual deployment timeline remains uncertain. Israel must first finalize bilateral agreements with each contributing country to define the legal status of foreign troops in Gaza. Furthermore, no concrete schedule has been established for the construction of the Rafah humanitarian zone, which may not commence until early 2027.
In the meantime, small delegations from the participating countries continue their preparations from a base in southern Israel. The force is designed to support Gaza’s transition toward enhanced security, but its deployment hinges on broader discussions surrounding the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the establishment of a civilian administration for the territory.