UN calls for deployment of international protection forces in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem to protect Palestinians

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has called for the deployment of international protection forces in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. In a post on her official X account, Albanese stated that this step is “extremely necessary given the continued Israeli occupation and the escalating violations against Palestinians.”

She emphasized that “other states are obligated, under the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in July 2024, to take action to end the illegal Israeli occupation and not to assist in its continuation,” noting that “this opinion imposes legal obligations on the international community that go beyond political statements and condemnations, and require practical measures to halt violations.”

The UN rapporteur questioned whether the diplomatic efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism of the General Assembly could break the deadlock in the Security Council, which has been unable to take any action regarding Gaza and the West Bank due to the repeated use of the veto by the United States, thereby preventing any binding international resolutions to halt the escalation and protect civilians.