Major General Patrick Gauchat of Switzerland has been serving as the Head of Mission and Chief of Staff for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) since October 2021. In this capacity, he oversees UNTSO's mandate to help monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, and support other UN peacekeeping operations in the Middle East. 

In December 2024, Major General Patrick Gauchat was designated, by the Secretary General as the Acting Head of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan. This role, undertaken alongside his duties with UNTSO, will remain in effect until the newly appointed force commander arrives into the mission area.

Major General Gauchat brings over 32 years of experience at both national and international levels. His previous roles include serving as the General leading the Swiss Delegation to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in Panmunjom, Korea (2017-2021), Deputy Chief of Staff of UNTSO (2011-2013), and Senior Military Liaison Officer at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (2014-2016).

Recently, the Major General visited United Nations positions and Observations Posts, spending time with personnel from both UNDOF and UNTSO to discuss the challenges and align operational efforts. These visits have proven crucial in boosting the morale of UN staff who have been providing dedicated service during such an uncertain period in Syria.