Following the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the long-term future of Gaza remains uncertain. While options for reconstruction and stabilization are being discussed, a multinational force presents itself as a potential solution. This approach, while not without challenges, offers the possibility of lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
As Israel and Hamas finalize the details of a temporary ceasefire, the long-term fate of Gaza remains uncertain. While the mechanisms for stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza will be officially discussed during the second phase of the ceasefire, options like a complete restoration of Palestinian Authority (PA) control have already been proposed. However, each of these options presents significant flaws.
The PA faces immense unpopularity and struggles to exert control over the territories it currently governs. It's unlikely these options would bring the long-term security, development, and peace both Israelis and Palestinians desperately seek.One option stands out for its potential to address the complex challenges facing post-war Gaza: deploying a robust multinational force. This approach is not without its own hurdles. The international community, including Israel, has been skeptical of multinational forces in the region, citing past failures. The United Nations force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), for example, struggled to fulfill its mandate and prevent Hezbollah from establishing significant military bases along the Israeli-Lebanese border from 2006 to October 2023.The success or failure of any future multinational force in Gaza will hinge on its ability to guarantee security. The current ceasefire leaves room for Hamas to attempt regaining control. If the multinational force cannot prevent Hamas from threatening communities in southern Israel, the countdown towards the next Gaza war will have already begun. Israel, based on its experiences with Lebanon and elsewhere, will not accept a multinational force perceived as weak and incapable of securing Israeli interests. While the experience with UNIFIL in Lebanon raises concerns, it is not the only model for a multinational force. Drawing lessons from both successful and unsuccessful past missions, a force deployed to Gaza can achieve better outcomes. For instance, UN multinational forces in Kosovo and East Timor operated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, granting them more robust authority to use force in fulfilling their mandates. Both missions proved significantly more successful than UNIFIL in Lebanon. Furthermore, the forces in East Timor and Kosovo were larger and better equipped, allowing them to confront guerilla groups and Indonesian forces in East Timor, and to ensure the withdrawal and demilitarization of Serbian forces in Kosovo. They also provided security, public safety, supported humanitarian assistance and refugee return, and coordinated with the UN's governance mission.Crucially, the multinational force in Gaza must go beyond merely maintaining peace. It needs local and international legitimacy and should undertake three distinct missions under a unified authority. This will help avoid the pitfalls of past missions. The force should ideally receive its mandate from the UN for maximum international legitimacy. If a Security Council resolution proves impossible due to tensions between permanent members, the force could receive its mandate from a coalition of relevant states and actors.Gaza, after 15 months of war, desperately needs reconstruction, which will commence during the third phase of the ceasefire. The multinational force will play a vital role in initial reconstruction efforts by ensuring basic humanitarian needs are met, repairing critical infrastructure, minimizing the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance, and overseeing and coordinating international development efforts. These actions will increase the local legitimacy of the multinational force while saving civilian lives. It can also ensure that aid reaches the intended recipients without being diverted by militant and criminal organizations.Finally, as seen in Kosovo and East Timor, the multinational force must prevent a governance vacuum in Gaza. Part of its mission should be to ensure that fundamental civil authorities and essential services are restored and function independently of Hamas control
MULTINATIONAL FORCE GAZA CEASEFIRE Reconstruction Security PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY HAMAS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY UN KOSOVO EAST TIMOR LEBANON
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