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EU ready to increase its presence in Gaza
The European Union is “very likely” to increase its presence on the ground in Gaza once a lasting ceasefire is established, said Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s outgoing foreign minister, on Sunday — a day before the Peace Summitscheduled to take place in Egypt.
“Europe is already present through two missions,” Barrot reminded during an interview on Un Dimanche en Politiqueon France 3.
The first mission, EUBAM Rafah, is a border monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing, in which French gendarmes participate. “It will play a key role in managing the crossing points,” he explained.
The second mission, EUPOL COPPS, supports the training of Palestinian police forces. Barrot stressed that this training is essential so that Palestinian officers themselves can ensure security in the Gaza Strip once the Hamas movement and the Israeli army withdraw.
The international stabilization force that the international community aims to establish on a transitional basis “is not intended to take full responsibility for security,” Barrot noted. “It will be Palestinian police officers who assume that role — but they must first be properly trained,” he added.
Regarding the international force, the minister emphasized the need for “a clear mandate from the United Nations,” a topic that “will be discussed in the coming days.”
In addition to European participation, Indonesia and Turkey have already expressed interest in joining this international force.
France has not yet decided whether, beyond providing training assistance for Palestinian police and financial support for equipment, it might also deploy ground troops.
Barrot also acknowledged that France’s domestic political crisis could impact its international standing:
“Our internal divisions weaken us, and our ability to act abroad — our influence — depends on our internal strength: military, economic, budgetary, and moral,” he stated.
He concluded that France must “emerge as quickly as possible from this period of instability to regain the strength necessary for its voice to matter internationally.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, reappointed on Friday evening, faces the urgent task of forming a new government. However, under threat of a no-confidence vote, his administration may only last a few days, with the primary objective of presenting a draft budget to Parliament.