Major General Patrick Gauchat concludes successful assignment as Head of UNTSO
Bern, 27.02.2026 — Major General Patrick Gauchat, head of the UN peacekeeping mission UNTSO, concludes his mission at the end of February. During his term of office, he led the United Nations' first peacekeeping mission through a particularly challenging security phase marked by significant tensions and a volatile situation in the Middle East. With his leadership, experience and diplomatic skills, he made an important contribution to stabilisation and de-escalation in the region.
Major General Gauchat had been head of mission for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) since December 2021. Founded in 1948, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) monitors ceasefire agreements between Israel and its four neighbouring Arab states, playing a vital role in stabilising the situation and preventing further escalation. In recent years, this mandate has been especially challenging due to the tense security environment, ongoing armed conflicts, political upheavals and broader regional developments.
Under his leadership, UNTSO consistently fulfilled its core mandate even under considerable pressure: monitoring and reporting, investigating incidents, and contributing to stability through its presence and by fostering dialogue between the parties to the conflict. By doing so, the mission continued to make a substantial contribution to de-escalation and to supporting other UN peace missions in the region.
Recognition of Switzerland and its military personnel
Major General Gauchat's appointment as Head of Mission of UNTSO followed a selection process conducted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. It marked a significant milestone: Gauchat is the first Swiss officer to command a UN peace mission.
In December 2024, the UN Secretary-General asked Major General Gauchat to take on an additional role as commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights, alongside his position as Head of UNTSO. This made him the first person to lead two UN peacekeeping missions simultaneously. This additional responsibility, which he carried out during a particularly sensitive phase on the Golan and in Syria, highlights his recognised regional expertise as well as his leadership and coordination skills in peacekeeping operations. His more than thirty-year career in international peace support includes deployments and positions in Korea, Kosovo, at UN Headquarters in New York and in the Middle East.
For many years, Switzerland has provided one of the largest contingents of military observers within UNTSO. The mission therefore remains a key area of deployment for the Swiss Armed Forces' military peacekeeping operations. Around 300 Swiss personnel are currently engaged in this Swiss Armed Forces mandate worldwide.
Appointment as defence attaché
On 28 January 2026, the Federal Council appointed Major General Gauchat as future Defence Attaché at the Swiss Embassy in Paris, with accreditation to France, Belgium and Luxembourg, subject to the approval of the respective host states. As part of his mission preparation, he will undergo Defence Attaché training from 1 March until assuming his new post on 1 July.