Five countries commit troops to Gaza security force

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — A Kosovo Security Forces member observes the artillery range at Polatlı Training Area, Türkiye, Feb. 19, 2024. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Devin McReynolds via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)

WASHINGTON  -  Five countries have committed troops for an international security force for Gaza, the commander of the force said on Thursday during a meeting of President Donald Trump's newly created Board of Peace.

"The first five countries have committed troops to serve in the ISF - Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania. Two countries have committed to train police - Egypt and Jordan," International Stabilization Force commander Army Major General Jasper Jeffers said.  

Jeffers also said the ISF would begin by deploying in southern Gaza's Rafa, train police there and "expand sector by sector." 

The long-term plan is to use 20,000 ISF troops and train 12,000 police, Jeffers said. 

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Caitlin Webber // REUTERS)