Kosovo Assembly members approved on Friday the Government's proposal to send members of the Kosovo Security Force to Gaza, as part of the International Stabilization Force.
The proposal – which required a 2/3 majority vote – passed with 89 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.
To enter into force, this decision must now be signed by the president of Kosovo, in this case the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, who comes from the ruling party.
Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said that this decision further strengthens Kosovo's international profile, affirms the professionalism of the KSF and places the country among the states that not only benefit from international security, but also contribute to maintaining international peace and order.
"Through this commitment, Kosovo proves that it is a reliable, responsible partner and ready to act alongside allies in support of peace, security, protection of civilians and international mandates," said Minister Maqedonci.
On March 30, the Government approved the Ministry of Defense's proposal to send KSF members to Gaza.
The deployment of KSF troops is expected to take place within the framework of the International Stabilization Force (INS), a mechanism created as part of the so-called Peace Board initiative, proposed by US President Donald Trump, to achieve peace in the world, REL informs.
Kosovo is among the first five states – along with Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Albania – that have pledged to engage in this mission, with the aim of providing security and supervising the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
However, it is still unknown when exactly the deployment of troops will occur and what their number will be.
In addition to authorizing the deployment of troops, the Assembly must also approve the agreement for Kosovo's membership in the Peace Board.
Former Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who was one of the founders of the Peace Board, has publicly supported this initiative. Her presidential mandate ended on April 4.
According to reports by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the International Stabilization Force is expected to begin its deployment in Gaza in May, including dozens of soldiers from Kosovo, although institutions in Pristina have not officially confirmed this deadline.
Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci has previously stated that it is initially planned to send over 20 soldiers specialized in various fields, including demining and disposal of unexploded ordnance (EOD) units, special operations, planning, and medical teams.
Ministry officials have announced that they are in constant coordination with the FNS structures and that a military liaison officer has been assigned to prepare for the deployment.
The International Stabilization Force is expected to be tasked with stabilizing the security situation in Gaza, following the war that began in October 2023, when Hamas - declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking hostages.
The subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza caused tens of thousands of casualties, a humanitarian crisis, and extensive material damage.
The plan to create this force is part of a broader package for achieving peace, which has been accepted by the parties to the conflict.
This is not the first time the KSF has been deployed abroad. In 2021, it participated in a mission in Kuwait in cooperation with US forces, and in 2022 in the Falkland Islands, in cooperation with the United Kingdom.
The KSF is currently in the process of transforming into a full-fledged army, a process that is expected to be completed by 2028.
Both for these missions, as well as for participation in the International Stabilization Force for Gaza, the deployment of the KSF abroad is carried out based on the Law on the Deployment of this Force Abroad.
This law provides that the sending of the KSF on missions abroad is based on a bilateral agreement with the host country or within the framework of an invitation from an international organization, or with a resolution of the UN Security Council.
The law also provides for other aspects of the KSF's participation in missions abroad. For example, it states that before being sent on missions, the KSF must conduct training and preparation. The law also provides that the costs be covered by the country's budget, but also by international organizations and other countries, based on international or inter-institutional agreements.
It also determines when the KSF withdraws from missions abroad. Withdrawal can be made whenever it is assessed that this decision protects the interests of Kosovo. The KSF can also withdraw in exceptional circumstances, the law states, and this decision is made by the president of the state.
In addition to missions abroad, the KSF has also participated in search and rescue operations and other humanitarian missions. The last time a contingent was sent abroad on a humanitarian mission was in January of this year, when Kosovo soldiers were involved in the search for a person in Albania.
KSF members also participate in training abroad in the framework of cooperation with various countries. For example, in December 2025, KSF special operations members, in cooperation with the United Kingdom army, conducted training in the tropical jungles of the state of Belize.
The KSF also participates in various trainings with the US Army and has a close partnership with the National Guard of the US state of Iowa.
