Any peacekeeping forces deployed as part of the process to achieve a just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be approved and/or mandated by the UN. Such a peacekeeping operation could play a vital role in the provision of a security framework as part of a broader peace agreement.

The paper examines the nature of contemporary peace operations and the likely challenges that such a proposal presents. As security arrangements remain a key obstacle to concluding an agreement, the paper proposes the establishment of a UN approved international peace force. Even if such a force is approved, issues such as mandate, rules of engagement, freedom of movement and areas of operation still need to be resolved.