TOP United Nations rapporteur Francesca Albanese called for the creation of an international protection force on Monday for both the Israeli occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Ms Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, warned that it is “absolutely urgent” to establish an international protection presence in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Posting to social media, Ms Albanese said: “Third states have an obligation, per the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to act to end Israel’s unlawful occupation.”

Ms Albanese also questioned whether the UN secretary-general’s diplomatic efforts, along with the general assembly’s “Uniting for Peace” mechanism, could help bypass a deadlocked security council.

The social media post referenced her advisory position to the ICJ in July 2024, which found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory unlawful and said other states have a duty not to aid in maintaining it.

The UN security council has repeatedly failed to act on Gaza and the West Bank amid vetoes from the United States, one of the five permanent members with veto power.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is creating its own outside military intervention into Gaza to support the fragile ceasefire.

A Board of Peace official confirmed on Sunday that Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation in meetings with Israelis last week over the shape that their military support might take.

Uganda is finalising details of its participation after its parliament approved the troop contribution this month.

Nothing has been finalised with Burundi, but the official said they look forward to starting the process.

“We shared significant knowledge with one another and the Burundi representatives expressed interest in our mission,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss talks with potential troop-contributing countries ahead of any agreement.

A Burundian military source said three other senior military officers led the delegation to Israel and that Burundi appeared intent on joining.

Spokespersons for the Ugandan and Burundi militaries did not respond to requests for comment.

Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania have already made commitments to be part of the force.

Uganda has committed about 1,200 personnel and Morocco has committed up to 500. Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania in total have committed about 80.

Indonesia earlier said that it was preparing to send 8,000 troops but put that on hold after the US and Israel attacked Iran.

The projected 20,000-strong force would be led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers.