The proposal to deploy an international stabilization force in Gaza, emerging from US-brokered ceasefire talks, has ignited a flicker of cautious optimism. After months of catastrophic violence and destruction, the prospect of a multinational presence—composed primarily of Arab and Muslim nations—offers the war-ravaged enclave its first genuine chance for stability. Yet, for this ambitious initiative to succeed where others have failed, it cannot be an ad-hoc coalition of the willing. The force must be anchored in unquestionable legitimacy, protected by international law, and guided by impartial authority. This means its operation must be mandated by the United Nations. Anything less would risk transforming the mission from a peacekeeping effort into a political tool, doomed to fail.
The Bedrock of Legitimacy
A UN mandate is not a mere bureaucratic formality; it is the moral and legal backbone of any credible international operation. It provides the foundational authority that transcends the interests of any single nation. Under the banner of the UN, the force would be bound by the principles of international humanitarian and human rights law, ensuring its actions are transparent, accountable, and prioritize the security and well-being of civilians above all political agendas. Without this universally recognized legitimacy, the deployment would be viewed with suspicion by Palestinians as an occupying force in disguise, swiftly losing the trust of both the local population and the broader international community, whose support is crucial for long-term reconstruction.
A UN-backed framework would explicitly define the force’s objectives: disarming militant factions, restoring public order, supporting vetted Palestinian police forces, securing Gaza’s borders, and facilitating the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid. These steps are essential not only for immediate peace but for rebuilding the institutions capable of sustaining governance, economy, and human dignity.
Centering Palestinian Governance
Critically, any transitional security arrangement must be designed to empower, not replace, Palestinian governance. The reformed Palestinian Authority must be at the center of this political process. An international force that sidelines the PA or attempts to install an alternative authority would deepen the internal divisions that have long crippled Palestinian national aspirations and could fuel further radicalization. The ultimate goal must be the restoration of a unified Palestinian leadership governing both Gaza and the West Bank, which is a prerequisite for any viable two-state solution.
To ensure the mission’s credibility, the participating Arab and Muslim nations should operate under a neutral command structure supervised by the UN. A joint operations center would prevent unilateral decision-making by any single country, while independent monitoring mechanisms—reporting directly to the UN Security Council—must be established to track progress, investigate incidents, and report violations. Without these safeguards, the force could quickly become entangled in the web of regional rivalries or subject to external manipulation, eroding its neutrality and effectiveness.
The Obstacle of Israeli Resistance
Beyond the logistical challenges lies a more profound obstacle: Israel’s longstanding resistance to international oversight. History shows that Israel has been deeply skeptical, if not openly hostile, toward international forces operating in territories under its control. The repeated targeting of UN facilities and personnel during past conflicts raises legitimate fears that the Israeli government might seek to limit the mission’s scope, obstruct its operations, or dictate its terms.
For instance, Israel could attempt to confine the force to a narrow role of border monitoring, deliberately avoiding core issues such as internal security, freedom of movement for Palestinians, reconstruction efforts, and the protection of civilians. Such restrictions would reduce the mission to a mere buffer zone, serving Israel’s immediate security objectives while failing to address the root causes of the conflict and denying Palestinians a genuine path to self-determination.
Equally concerning is the possibility that Israel will maintain its stringent blockade over Gaza’s airspace, land crossings, and sea access. No international force, no matter how robust, can foster lasting peace in a territory that remains under siege. The lifting of the blockade is not a concession to be bargained for; it is a fundamental prerequisite for economic revival, reconstruction, and the restoration of normal life. A “peace” that perpetuates Gaza’s status as an open-air prison is a recipe for the next cycle of violence.
A Foundation for a Lasting Political Vision
Therefore, the deployment of an international force cannot be an isolated event. It must be the security pillar of a broader, coherent political vision—one that explicitly reunites Gaza and the West Bank under a single, legitimate Palestinian administration and reopens a credible path toward Palestinian statehood. The participating Arab states can and should serve as guarantors of this process, ensuring it remains rooted in Arab Peace Initiative principles and regional legitimacy, rather than succumbing to the narrow, short-term calculus of great power politics.
For the people of Gaza, peace cannot be delivered through speeches or summits alone; it must be built on the ground, one act of security, one delivery of aid, one rebuilt school at a time. A UN-mandated force, backed by Arab and international partners, could provide that foundation—but only if the world has the courage to endow it with a robust mandate, the necessary resources, and the unwavering political will to see it through.
This is not merely about stabilizing Gaza. It is about proving that the international community can still act collectively, credibly, and compassionately in the face of human catastrophe. The alternative is another failed experiment—another promise made to the Palestinians that ends up buried, once again, under the fresh rubble of distrust and despair.
If the world truly wants Gaza to rise from the ashes, the path is clear: empower an international force with a UN mandate, shield it from political manipulation, and make it the cornerstone of a just and lasting peace.
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