Greece is planning to take part in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip, sending troops, armored vehicles, engineers and medical teams as part of the deployment, according to reports in local Greek media.
The Greek contingent is expected to include between 100 and 150 personnel and a special battalion equipped with armored vehicles tasked with helping maintain security. The move marks a more active role by the Greek government in crisis management efforts, at least within its immediate region.
The stabilization force is part of the Gaza peace plan agreed between Israel and Hamas in October, approved under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on November 17.
Greece was among the first countries to support the US proposal to establish such a force, backing the initiative at Washington's urging despite internal opposition to deploying Greek troops to a potentially high-risk environment. The composition and mission of the Greek force were formulated following extensive consultations with the US and Israel.
While no date has yet been set for the deployment, two Greek officers have already been assigned to the US-led coordination center in the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat.
The Greek force will form part of an initial 8,000-strong contingent led by US Central Command, in which Egypt and Israel, as the countries bordering Gaza, are also expected to play key roles. The overall force is projected to expand to 20,000 troops.
