Gaza's future stabilisation force to move in as Israelis withdraw, says French minister

Arab and European states gather in Paris to hash out details of mission

French caretaker minister of foreign affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, right, welcomes President Emmanuel Macron for talks with European and Arab leaders in Paris. AP

Arab and European allies met in Paris on Thursday to work out how to shape Gaza's post-war future, hours after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and detainee-hostage swap proposed by US President Donald Trump.

The Paris meeting aimed at keeping the momentum of the ceasefire talks going with the hope that it will ensure that Israel and Hamas do not violate the truce when it is in place.

Speaking after the meeting, French caretaker foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said an international peacekeeping force is expected to move into Gaza as the Israel military pulls back in phases.

The mission will "facilitate, if I may say so, or in any case be simultaneous with the withdrawal of Israeli forces as provided for in President Trump's plan for Gaza", Mr Barrot said after the meeting.

The UN Security Council is expected to work on a resolution in coming weeks that would set up a mandate for the force. It would monitor the ceasefire while also supporting Palestinian police forces in the enclave, diplomatic sources said. The mission is described as an "international stabilisation force" in Mr Trump's plan.

Earlier in the day, Italy said it was ready to take part in rebuilding Gaza and send troops if an international peacekeeping force is formed. Indonesia last month pledged 20,000 troops. Meanwhile, the EU said it is ready to rapidly relaunch its border training mission for Palestinian customs, Eubam Rafah. Azerbaijan has also expressed interest in supporting the force, officials said.

Mr Barrot is expected to debrief US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. Mr Rubio had initially planned to attend but cancelled his trip due to scheduling issues, according to French diplomatic sources.

The conference began with a meeting between Arab ministers, including Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, and the UAE's Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy. Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan and Egypt were also present.

They were later joined by foreign ministers from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, as well as representatives from Canada and Indonesia.

At the opening of the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the ceasefire brokered in Egypt on Wednesday as "historic". He also issued a strong warning against the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing them as an “existential threat to the state of Palestine” and a breach of international law.

“It is important not to add another conflict zone to the one we are already trying to resolve. We must remain vigilant,” he said.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, with France's departing Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at the meeting. EPA

Military experts have suggested that a combat-ready force of professional troops from Arab states and Europe could number up to 60,000. Israel, which sharply criticised the Paris meeting, claiming it was organised behind its back, warned no decisions on Gaza could be made without its approval.

While details on the stabilisation mission remain vague, there has been talk of a Nato-style contribution of the kind that has been in place since 2018 in Iraq. The mission, which is widely regarded as a success, includes a large number of European security officials to train Iraqi security officials in public institutions such as the Interior Ministry. However, it does not include aspects such as ceasefire supervision which would be necessary in Gaza.

Responding to a question from The National, Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux said: “The contribution to a stabilisation force can include different things: it could be training, it could be equipment, it could possibly be forces. At this stage, it is too early to tell you what France will actually contribute, but that will be part of the discussions we will have this afternoon.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Macron received Sheikh Mohammed at the Elysee after Qatar helped to broker the ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas. Its first phase will allow for the freeing of all hostages in Gaza, Israeli withdrawal to an agreed point and the release of some Palestinian detainees.

The two leaders discussed ways to implement this agreement and their respective contributions, the Elysee said. The meeting was also “an opportunity to reaffirm their shared commitment to a two-state solution, the only way to bring peace and security to all in the Middle East”, it added.