France and Britain Advance UN Resolution for Gaza Stabilization Force

France and Britain are collaborating with the United States to finalize a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at establishing an international force in Gaza. This initiative comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding, prompting discussions about the need for a stabilizing presence in the region.

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux emphasized the importance of a U.N. mandate for the proposed force, stating it would provide a robust legal foundation and facilitate contributions from various countries. “France is working closely with its partners on the establishment of such an international mission, which must be formalized through the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution,” he said during a press briefing in Paris.

Coordination Among Global Powers

Discussions surrounding the resolution have been ongoing, particularly with U.S. and British officials. Paris hosted talks with European and Arab nations on October 10, 2023, to outline strategies for Gaza’s post-conflict transition, including the potential framework for the international force. According to diplomatic sources, this stabilizing force will not function as a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission funded by the organization.

Instead, the resolution may draw parallels to previous actions taken by the Security Council to authorize international forces, such as those deployed to combat armed groups in Haiti. Such resolutions typically allow contributing nations to “take all necessary measures,” indicating the potential for the use of force to fulfill the mission’s objectives.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed Parliament on Tuesday, acknowledging the complexity of establishing the force. “The terms of reference are still being drawn up. There is a United Nations Security Council resolution on the establishment of the force, or I hope there will be, but the wider terms of reference are not yet agreed,” he stated.

International Contributions and Support

The U.S. is currently engaging with several nations regarding their participation in the mission, including Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Azerbaijan. Among these, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed a willingness to deploy up to 20,000 troops to Gaza if a U.N. resolution is passed. This offer was reiterated during his address to the U.N. General Assembly on September 23, 2023.

In addition, the U.S. has stationed up to two dozen troops in the region to assist with operational setup, serving in a role focused on coordination and oversight. Italy has also publicly expressed its readiness to contribute to the mission.

The recent actions by the U.N. General Assembly, which overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration aimed at advancing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, further align with the push for a temporary international stabilization mission mandated by the U.N. Security Council. This evolving situation underscores the urgency and complexity of establishing a sustainable peace in Gaza.