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The idea of deploying an international stabilization force in Gaza under the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has sparked cautious optimism. After months of relentless destruction, a multinational presence of mainly Arab and Muslim nations could offer the war-ravaged enclave its first genuine chance at stability. Yet, for such an ambitious plan to succeed, the force must be anchored in legitimacy, protected by law and guided by impartial authority — which means it must operate under a UN mandate. Anything less would risk transforming the mission into a political tool rather than a peacekeeping effort.

A UN mandate is not a formality; it is the moral and legal backbone of any credible international operation. It would ensure the force acts transparently, remains accountable to international law and prioritizes the security and well-being of civilians over political agendas. Without that legitimacy, the deployment would quickly lose the trust of the Palestinian people and the broader international community.

A UN-backed framework could define clear objectives — restoring order, supporting vetted Palestinian police, securing Gaza’s borders and facilitating humanitarian aid. These steps are essential not only for peace but also for rebuilding institutions capable of sustaining governance and dignity. The Palestinian Authority must be at the center of this process. Any effort that sidelines it risks deepening the internal divisions that have long hindered Palestinian unity. The goal must be to restore Palestinian governance, not to replace it.

A UN mandate is not a formality; it is the moral and legal backbone of any credible international operation

Hani Hazaimeh

To ensure the mission’s credibility, the participating Arab and Muslim nations should operate under a neutral command structure supervised by the UN. A joint operations center would prevent unilateral decision-making, while independent monitoring mechanisms must be established to track progress and report violations directly to the UN Security Council. Without these safeguards, the force could quickly become entangled in regional rivalries or external manipulation.

But beyond the logistics lies a more complex obstacle: Israel’s track record of resistance to international oversight. History shows that Israel has often been skeptical, if not openly hostile, toward peacekeeping forces operating in areas under its control or influence. The repeated targeting of UN facilities and personnel during past conflicts raises legitimate fears that Tel Aviv might seek to limit the mission’s scope or obstruct its operations. Israel could, for example, attempt to confine the force’s role to border monitoring while avoiding issues such as freedom of movement, reconstruction and civilian protection. Such restrictions would reduce the mission to a buffer that serves Israel’s security objectives rather than offering a genuine path to Palestinian self-determination.

Equally concerning is the possibility that Israel will maintain its blockade over Gaza’s airspace, borders and sea access. No international force, no matter how capable, can foster peace in a territory that remains under siege. Lifting the blockade is not a concession; it is a prerequisite for recovery and long-term stability. Gaza’s reconstruction must go hand in hand with freedom of movement, economic revival and the reestablishment of normal life.

But beyond the logistics lies a more complex obstacle: Israel’s track record of resistance to international oversight

Hani Hazaimeh

The deployment of an international force must therefore be part of a broader political vision — one that unites Gaza and the West Bank under a single Palestinian administration, reopens the path toward statehood and ends the cycle of violence and isolation. Arab states participating in the mission can serve as guarantors of this process, ensuring that it remains rooted in justice and regional legitimacy rather than in the narrow calculus of geopolitics.

For the people of Gaza, peace cannot be delivered through speeches or summits; it must be built on the ground, one act of security, justice and reconstruction at a time. A UN-mandated force, backed by Arab and international partners, could provide that foundation — if the world has the courage to give it the mandate, the resources and the political will it needs.

This is not merely about stabilizing Gaza. It is about proving that the international community can still act collectively, credibly and compassionately in the face of human catastrophe. The alternative is another failed experiment — another promise made to Palestinians that ends up buried under the rubble of distrust.

If the world truly wants Gaza to rise from the ashes, the path is clear: empower an international force with a UN mandate, shield it from political manipulation and make it the first step toward a just and lasting peace.

• Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh