Morocco has formalized its participation in the upcoming international stabilization force for Gaza through a signed agreement in Rabat on Wednesday. The signing ceremony was attended by Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, top defense officials, and Nikolaï Mladenov, the Council of Peace for Gaza representative, alongside a delegation including the force’s commanding officer.
According to the Moroccan Defense Ministry, this commitment reflects a shared determination to bolster security and humanitarian efforts aimed at fostering stability in the region. The deployment will include high-ranking officers, gendarmerie personnel, police units, and the establishment of a field military hospital in Gaza.
The agreement primarily serves as a formal confirmation of an earlier pledge. Morocco first announced its contribution in February, becoming the first Arab nation to publicly commit to the international force. Since then, Moroccan officers have already integrated the force’s headquarters in southern Israel to participate in preparatory operations.
The initiative also includes contributions from Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo, but Morocco is poised to be the first nation to operationalize its forces in Gaza. Under the proposed framework, Moroccan troops would be responsible for securing the boundaries of a planned humanitarian zone near Rafah in southern Gaza. This area is intended to house temporary shelters and relief infrastructure under the protection of the international contingent.
However, the actual deployment remains pending. Israel must first finalize bilateral agreements with each contributing country to define the legal status of foreign troops in Gaza. Additionally, no timeline has been set for the Rafah humanitarian zone, with construction potentially not beginning until early 2027.
In the meantime, small delegations from participating countries continue preparations from a base in southern Israel. The international force is expected to support Gaza’s security transition, though its activation hinges on broader discussions involving Hamas disarmament, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of civilian administration structures.
