Greece to send troops to Gaza for international stabilisation mission

Greece will join the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza with a specialized battalion equipped with armored vehicles to support security operations. 

The battalion will also include medics and engineers, marking a stronger presence than Greece’s previous international mission with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2021, Caliber.Az reports, citing Greek media.

As part of ISAF, the Greek contingent provided medical supplies and humanitarian aid, assisted in rebuilding government buildings and schools, maintained public infrastructure, and cleared minefields.

Now, the battalion, numbering 100–150 personnel, will not be at full strength, but the addition of a security role reflects the government’s aim for Greece to play a more active role in regional crisis management. The security element will likely operate M1117 armored security vehicles, similar to those used by US military police.

The Stabilization Force is part of the Gaza peace plan agreed upon by Hamas and Israel last October and is mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, passed on November 17. 

Greece was among the first to support the US proposal for such a force, earning Washington’s praise and overcoming domestic opposition to putting Greek troops in potential danger. The size and mission of the Greek battalion were finalized after consultations with both the US and Israel.

It has not been determined when the force will be deployed, but two Greek officers have already been detached to the US-led Civil-Military Coordination in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat.

While the deployment date has not yet been set, two Greek officers have already joined the US-led Civil-Military Coordination in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel. 

The battalion will operate within the security perimeter established in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces, functioning as part of a larger security force due to its small size. It will join an initial 8,000-strong multinational force led by US Central Command, with Egypt and Israel also playing significant roles.

The force is expected to grow to 20,000 personnel, following the ISAF model, though still far smaller than ISAF’s peak of 180,000 troops.

By Jeyhun Aghazada