UN Call for Deployment of International Protection Forces in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem

UN Call for Deployment of International Protection Forces in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, has called for the deployment of international protection forces in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, amidst ongoing Israeli occupation and escalating violations against Palestinians.
Albanese stated in a post on the “X” platform that the deployment of international protection forces has become “extremely necessary,” considering that the current situation requires practical international action that goes beyond statements of condemnation and political stances.
The UN Rapporteur referred to the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024 concerning the Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing that other countries bear legal responsibilities to refrain from assisting actions that perpetuate the unlawful situation and to work towards ending it.
She underscored that the commitments imposed on the international community, according to the advisory opinion, demand taking practical measures to address violations and protect Palestinians, not merely relying on diplomatic stances and condemnations.
Albanese also raised questions about the potential for diplomatic initiatives led by the UN Secretary-General and the use of the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism of the General Assembly, with the aim of overcoming the deadlock witnessed in the UN Security Council.
She highlighted the repeated use of the United States’ veto power within the Security Council, which has prevented the issuance of binding international resolutions regarding the war in Gaza and the situations in the Palestinian territories, thereby hindering, according to her argument, the adoption of more effective international measures to protect civilians and halt escalation.
This call comes amidst ongoing international discussions on possible mechanisms for providing protection to Palestinian civilians and the role that the United Nations and the international community could play, given the lack of consensus within the Security Council regarding binding measures.