Kosovo and Albania the first to be equipped by the US for the mission in Gaza

The United States has announced the allocation of $206 million for the International Stabilization Force (ISF), which is scheduled to be deployed in Gaza, while Kosovo and Albania will be the first to receive American military equipment as part of this mission.

Reuters reported on two State Department announcements it had seen announcing the millions that would go towards equipment, infrastructure, vehicles and operational costs for the force.

One of the announcements also mentions two Balkan countries. One of them talks about the allocation of another $6.3 million that will be used to repurpose nine American armored personnel carriers, originally destined for Nepal. According to Reuters, Albania and Kosovo will be the first beneficiaries of these vehicles, as part of their role in the ISF.

Five countries have so far pledged to send troops to the ISF: Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania, while Egypt and Jordan have pledged to train police forces. However, it is not yet known when the troops could be deployed.

US President Donald Trump has created a Peace Board to oversee his plan to end the war in Gaza and rebuild the devastated territory. The plan calls for a peacekeeping force to be deployed in Gaza to provide security in areas from which Israeli troops will withdraw, train new Palestinian police forces and support the distribution of aid.

Much of Gaza remains in ruins after two years of war, which began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

However, since the announcement of a deal in late July, efforts have stalled, as both Israel and Hamas have refused to meet the conditions that would allow the deal to move forward.