Urgent call for international protection force in Palestine

The international community has been urged to deploy an urgent protection force in Palestine to safeguard civilian life amid escalating violence and destruction. The call comes as Palestinian communities face severe threats to their existence due to ongoing Israeli actions.

In Gaza, over 74,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict, with critical infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems in ruins. The Israeli military has destroyed approximately 81% of structures, leaving 1.9 million people displaced and living in inadequate conditions.

In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers and military forces have intensified their activities, leading to forced displacement and the destruction of homes. According to Al-Haq, 46 Palestinian communities were forcibly displaced between 2023 and mid-2025, with many others severely damaged.

Healthcare and education systems across Palestine have been devastated. In Gaza, only 19 of 36 hospitals and 73 of 158 primary health centres remain partially functional. UNICEF reports that 98% of Gaza’s schools were destroyed or damaged during the war. In the West Bank, hospitals are underfunded due to Israeli withholding of tax revenues, and movement restrictions hinder emergency care.

Palestinian livelihoods have been severely impacted. In Gaza, the economy has collapsed due to Israeli bombing and siege. In the West Bank, land theft and restrictions have cut off farmers from their land, leading to a three-year agricultural crisis. The World Food Programme has cut food rations for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Employment opportunities have dwindled, with over 90% of Palestinians in Gaza unemployed and unemployment in the West Bank doubling since 2023. The Palestinian Authority, which is supposed to govern Palestinian life, has been transformed into Israel’s security subcontractor, with Israel withholding billions in tax revenue.

The case for an international protection force is grounded in international law. The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s occupation is illegal and that it must facilitate aid access to Gaza. A UN General Assembly recommendation could provide a political basis for such a force, bypassing the Security Council’s paralysis.

The proposed protection force must have a clear mandate to protect Palestinian life, unlike the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, which only observed abuses. The force should act to prevent attacks and establish a buffer between communities and settlers, ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians.