Morocco's Commitment to Peace in Gaza
On July 15, Morocco officially announced its participation in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, an initiative spearheaded by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at advancing stability in the region following the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This significant step was formalized through the signing of an agreement during a visit by Nickolay Mladenov, the UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, who led a high-level delegation to Morocco. The delegation engaged in discussions with key Moroccan officials, including Foreign Minister Naser Burita and Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi, along with other senior military leaders.
The Moroccan National Defense Administration released a statement via the Moroccan news agency MAP, highlighting that this visit is part of Morocco's commitment as a founding member of the Peace Board. The agreement lays out the legal framework governing Morocco's role in the international force and details the technical and operational aspects of its involvement. The Defense Administration emphasized that this pact illustrates the mutual commitment of the involved parties to support humanitarian and security initiatives aimed at fostering stability in the region.
Operational Details and Future Prospects
During the discussions, Moroccan representatives underscored that their participation in the International Stabilization Force underscores the kingdom's deep commitment to the values of peace, cooperation, and international solidarity. They believe that this contribution will help achieve and reinforce peace and security in the Middle East. Furthermore, it was noted that Morocco has a history of involvement in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations, a point appreciated by the members of the Peace Board.
Morocco's contribution to the international force includes sending senior commanders from the Royal Armed Forces to the joint command of the mission, alongside personnel from the Royal Gendarmerie and the General Directorate of National Security. Additionally, there are plans to establish a military field hospital to support humanitarian efforts in the area. Meanwhile, a delegation from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas resumed talks in Egypt to address unresolved issues related to the first phase of the peace agreement for Gaza. These discussions are crucial as they aim to pave the way for the second phase of the agreement, which is hindered by Hamas's refusal to disarm while the Israeli military remains active in Gaza.
Despite the U.S.-facilitated ceasefire agreement reached last October, which formally commenced its second phase in January, the peace process remains stalled due to ongoing disputes. These include Hamas's reluctance to disarm and Israel's insistence on not withdrawing without the demilitarization of Gaza, among other contentious issues that are obstructing progress in negotiations. As reported by swissinfo.ch.
