Macron Considers Deploying Forces to gaza to Support Palestinian Authority Transition
Paris, France – November 9, 2023 – French President Emmanuel Macron is contemplating the deployment of forces to the Gaza Strip, a move intended to bolster the palestinian Authority’s (PA) role in any future governance of the territory and secure border crossings, according to statements made during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud abbas today. The potential intervention signals a meaningful shift in international efforts to stabilize the region following the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This development arrives as international discussions intensify regarding the “day after” in Gaza, focusing on preventing a power vacuum and ensuring a viable path toward a lasting peace. The deployment, if authorized, would aim to reaffirm Gaza as an integral part of the State of Palestine under PA sovereignty, a position France strongly supports. The move impacts the approximately 2.3 million Palestinians residing in Gaza, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and broader regional stability.
During the meeting, Macron stressed that any transitional institutions established in Gaza “must have ties to and depend on the Palestinian Authority and its Government.” He specifically highlighted the importance of PA control over border crossings to solidify the territory’s status as part of Palestine.
President Abbas, in turn, reiterated his “condemnation of the murder of civilians” and directly denounced ”what Hamas did on October 7, 2023,” referencing the attacks by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Israelis and the abduction of more than 240 others. Abbas emphasized that “true security will only be achieved with the recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to freedom and independence.”
The French President’s consideration of deploying forces represents a proactive attempt to shape the post-conflict landscape in gaza, prioritizing a strengthened Palestinian Authority and a clear delineation of the territory’s political future. Further details regarding the scope, timeline, and nature of any potential deployment are expected in the coming days.
