Albania will initially contribute staff officers to the international stabilization mission in Gaza, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi announced in an interview with Euronews Albania.

Nufi said that following the completion of a reconnaissance and assessment mission, and after reviewing the report prepared by Albanian officers, the General Staff of the Armed Forces decided on the country’s initial level of participation in the mission.

According to the minister, the first phase will involve deploying staff officers who will be integrated into the command structure of the international force in Gaza. Depending on developments on the ground and further operational assessments, Albania will later decide whether to deploy additional personnel.

“We will send staff officers to become part of the international stabilization force in Gaza. After assessing the situation and operational needs on the ground, we will move to the second phase to determine which additional troops may be deployed as part of the mission,” Nufi said.

The Defense Minister added that the decision will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval through the relevant secondary legislation.

He stressed that Albania’s participation is in line with the position previously outlined by the Prime Minister regarding the country’s involvement in international peace and stability initiatives.

Nufi also said that the number of officers to be deployed and the next stages of the mission will be made public after the Council of Ministers formally approves the decision.

“Everything will be coordinated with the command structures of the international force. Once the Council of Ministers approves the decision, we will announce the number of staff officers who will be deployed initially, as well as the subsequent phases of Albania’s participation,” the Defense Minister said.