Rabat has formally committed to contributing troops to the planned international stabilization mission in Gaza, as confirmed by a high-level agreement signed in the Moroccan capital on Wednesday. The ceremony, held in the presence of Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, senior defense officials, and Nikolaï Mladenov of the Gaza Peace Council, marked the official endorsement of Morocco’s participation in the multinational force.
The Moroccan Defense Administration emphasized that this move reflects the country’s dedication to fostering peace and security in the region through tangible humanitarian and security measures. The North African nation intends to dispatch senior officers, gendarmerie personnel, and police officers, alongside establishing a field military hospital in Gaza.
While the agreement formalizes Morocco’s role, it does not represent a completely new commitment. The country had already pledged in February to provide personnel to the international force, becoming the first Arab nation to publicly announce such a contribution. Since then, Moroccan officers have been stationed at the force’s headquarters in southern Israel, assisting with preparatory operations.
Other contributing nations include Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo, but Morocco is poised to be the first to deploy forces into Gaza. Under the proposal outlined by the Gaza Peace Council, Moroccan troops are expected to secure the boundaries of a proposed humanitarian zone in the Rafah area, southern Gaza. This designated perimeter, designed to host temporary housing and aid infrastructure, will operate under the protection of the international force.
The deployment timeline remains uncertain. Israel must finalize bilateral agreements with each contributing country to define the legal status of foreign troops in Gaza. Additionally, no start date has been set for the Rafah humanitarian zone, with construction potentially not commencing until early 2027.
In the interim, small delegations from the participating nations continue preparations from a base in southern Israel. The international force aims to support Gaza’s security transition, contingent on discussions regarding Hamas disarmament, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of civilian administration in the territory.
