Albania Prepared to Send Troops to Gaza

Albania's Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said at a news conference in Tirana that an Albanian team has seen the situation on the ground.

“Under engagement on the Peace Board, Albania has taken steps to review the situation in Gaza. Gaza's belt is under Israeli Defence Forces' security. [Getty Images] The IDF] and every kind of troop inspection there is done through the International Stabilisation Force and the Israeli Army. We have sent a team to take a closer look at the location and situation on the ground so that we can figure out where and how we can put”, he said.

The International Stabilising 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 organisation by the United States and the European Union at the Gaza Strip.

Nufi disclosed that Albania's General Staff of Armed Forces has prepared the concrete plan expected to be developed at several levels and phases concerning Albania's engagement in Gaza, but did not reveal more about it.

Chief of General Staff Arben Kiggi said Albania is currently in the process and drafting of practice and legal documents for sending troops to the mission.

“The General Staff is making a correct assessment of the mission, tasks, personnel safety, engagement rules and logistical support. The first Albanian contingent to be deployed in Gaza will be part of the International Stabilisation Force headquarters, while later considered the possibility of a broader troop contribution”, Kingu said, REL broadcast, reports Periscope

In early May it became known that a team of Kosovo soldiers has been sent to Gaza to make the country's assessment where it will act as part of the peacekeeping mission.

Minister Nufi stressed that Albania remains a staunch NATO ally and an active partner in regional and international security.

Speaking of co-operation in the field of defence between Albania, Kosovo and Croatia, states that have signed a declaration of co-operation in the field of security and defence last year are entering a more concrete phase, with the development of three joint military exercises this year.

“Two exercises will be held in Croatia, where we are in the planning phase, we have agreed to hold the exercises. Likewise, a drill will be held in Albania. There will be only three participating states [Albania] -Kosovo-Croatia], but there will be other states from NATO, even partner states we co-operate with”, King said.

Co-operation between Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb, Serbia sees as an alliance against Serbs and Serbia as claims that it has been rejected by signatory states of the declaration for co-operation.

Likewise, defence authorities announced that Albania has officially launched preparations for organising the NATO summit, to be held next year in Tirana.

We have established a task force for the development of the NATO summit. We don't have the summit location yet, but NATO takes extraordinary security measures to organise these events”, Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. /Periscope/