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Albania is preparing to engage in the Gaza Strip, within the framework of the International Stabilization Force. Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said at a press conference in Tirana that an Albanian team has seen the situation on the ground.
"Within the framework of its engagement in the Peace Board, Albania has taken measures to review the situation in Gaza. The Gaza Strip is under the security of the Israel Defense Forces [IDF] and any type of troop inspection there is done through the International Stabilization Force and the Israeli army. We have sent a team to closely examine the location and the situation on the ground, so that we can understand where and how we can deploy," he said.
The International Stabilization Force stems from a 20-point plan by US President Donald Trump to end the war between Israel and Hamas – the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union – in the Gaza Strip.
Nufi announced that the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces has prepared a concrete plan that is expected to be developed at several levels and stages regarding Albania's engagement in Gaza, but did not reveal more about it.
Chief of General Staff, Arben Kingji, said that Albania is currently in the process of drafting the practice and legal documents for sending troops to the mission.
"The General Staff is making an accurate assessment regarding the mission, tasks, personnel security, rules of engagement and logistical support. The first Albanian contingent that can be deployed in Gaza will be part of the headquarters of the International Stabilization Force, while the possibility of a broader contribution with troops will then be considered," Kingji said.
In early May, it was announced that a team of Kosovo soldiers had been sent to Gaza to assess the location where they would operate as part of the peacekeeping mission.
Minister Nufi emphasized that Albania remains a steadfast NATO ally and an active partner in regional and international security.
Speaking of defense cooperation between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia – countries that signed a declaration on cooperation in the field of security and defense last year – it is entering a more concrete phase, with the development of three joint military exercises this year.
"Two exercises will take place in Croatia where we are in the planning phase, we have given the agreement for the exercises to take place. Likewise, one exercise will take place in Albania. There will not only be three participating countries [Albania-Kosovo-Croatia], but there will also be other NATO countries, even partner countries with which we cooperate," said Kingji.
Serbia sees the cooperation between Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb as an alliance against Serbs and Serbia - a claim that has been rejected by the signatory states of the declaration of cooperation.
Defense authorities also announced that Albania has officially begun preparations for organizing the NATO summit to be held next year in Tirana.
"We have set up a task force for the development of the NATO summit. We have not yet determined the location of the summit, but NATO is taking extraordinary security measures for the organization of these events," declared the Albanian Minister of Defense, Ermal Nufi./ REL
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