France's President Macron advocates for a United Nations-supported mission in Gaza, condemning Israeli strategies as constituting an ongoing war scenario.
French President Proposes UN Mission to Stabilize Gaza
French President Emmanuel Macron has put forth a proposal for a United Nations-mandated stabilization mission in Gaza, aimed at protecting civilians, disarming Hamas, and supporting the transfer of security responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority (PA). This temporary international coalition under the UN Security Council’s mandate is intended to oversee a ceasefire, help stabilize Gaza, and create conditions for peace and security [1][2][3].
Background
Macron’s call comes in response to Israel’s plan to expand its military offensive to take control of Gaza City, a move he described as a "disaster of unprecedented gravity" and a pathway to “permanent war.” He condemned the military escalation, warning that both Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages would be the primary victims of ongoing conflict [1][3][4][5].
Objectives of the Proposed UN Mission
The proposed mission's objectives include:
- Protect Palestinian civilians and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe amid conflict.
- Disarm Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza considered a terrorist organization by many countries.
- Monitor and uphold any future peace agreements and ensure a permanent ceasefire.
- Oversee the transfer of security responsibilities from Israeli forces to the PA to enable Palestinian self-governance in Gaza.
- Stabilize the region by providing an international presence and support for a lasting peace framework, consistent with a two-state solution which Macron reaffirmed as the long-term goal to prevent future conflicts [1][2][3].
International Response
Several European leaders have supported calls for peace and ceasefire. The Dutch Prime Minister emphasized the need to stop the war and protect journalists. Slovenian Foreign Minister condemned attacks on journalists, underscoring concerns about freedom of the press [1]. France itself is moving towards stronger diplomatic support for Palestinian statehood, with Macron announcing recognition of Palestine, which ties into legitimizing the stabilization mission and the international coalition proposal [2].
The call for a UN mission is part of a broader international effort involving the UN and various partner countries willing to contribute troops for the stabilizing force [1][2].
Next Steps
The UN Security Council is expected to work on establishing the mission and giving it a mandate. If established, the mission would aim to prevent further escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip. Macron stated that the war in Gaza must end with a permanent ceasefire [1][3][4].
Following Macron’s recognition, Britain and Canada also recognized a Palestinian state. The proposed plan by Israel to take control of Gaza City has drawn strong criticism at home and abroad [1][3][4].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/france-proposes-un-mandated-mission-gaza-2021-05-15/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57046343 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/15/france-proposes-un-mandated-mission-to-gaza [4] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210515-israel-gaza-conflict-macron-calls-for-un-mission-to-broker-peace [5] https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-macron-says-israel-s-gaza-offensive-is-a-disaster-of-unprecedented-gravity-1.9820089
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