The Arab League has officially requested the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank until a two-state solution can be negotiated. This call also includes urging the U.N. Security Council to establish a time frame for this political process.
While the idea of sending U.N. peacekeepers into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been discussed before, this is the first time the Arab League has made a formal request in writing. The process of deploying U.N. peacekeepers requires authorization from the Council and the consent of both Israel and Hamas.
The proposal was put forward during a summit in Manama, Bahrain, where the Arab League members gathered to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In addition to calling for an immediate cease-fire, the league accused Israel of hindering peace efforts and called for international protection and peacekeeping forces in the occupied Palestinian territory.
The United Nations is open to other measures suggested by the Arab League, such as hosting peace conferences, but no concrete plans have been discussed yet. The U.N. Secretary-General emphasized the importance of a two-state solution as the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The Arab League reiterated its stance on a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders and urged the Council to take decisive action towards its implementation within a specified time frame. The U.S. State Department expressed concerns about the potential impact of deploying additional security forces on Israel’s efforts to combat Hamas.
The situation in Gaza was described as a “wound” that could spread instability throughout the region, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.
2024-05-16 20:55:24
Link from www.nytimes.com