Morocco signs agreement to join Gaza stabilization force

Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi signed an agreement on Wednesday to deploy senior officers to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, meeting in Rabat with Board of Peace lead envoy Nikolay Mladenov upon the instructions of King Mohammed VI. The Royal Armed Forces said in a statement that the agreement provides the legal framework governing the technical and operational aspects of Morocco's participation in the multinational force.

The agreement "reflects a shared commitment to contributing to peace and security through humanitarian and security initiatives," the military said. Board of Peace officials welcomed Morocco's decision to assign senior officers to the ISF joint command, according to the statement. The participation "reflects Morocco's commitment to the values of peace, cooperation and international solidarity," the statement added.

Peace initiative

The deployment follows a 20-point plan announced by US President Donald Trump on Sept. 29 to end the war in Gaza, which entered its first phase on Oct. 10. The plan includes provisions for a partial Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas, though the group maintains it has fulfilled its initial obligations while Israel has continued daily attacks.

Death toll

Israel has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 173,000 others in Gaza since October 2023. The offensive has devastated the enclave as international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire continue.