The United Nations Security Council granted approval on Monday for a U.S.-backed initiative concerning Gaza, endorsing the deployment of an international stabilization force to ensure security in the region and outlining a potential path to an independent Palestinian state.
In the 13-0 vote, Russia and China abstained, avoiding the use of their veto power to block the resolution’s adoption by the UN’s key body. The approval marked a pivotal progression for the delicate ceasefire and the planning for Gaza’s future post a two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. Countries, including Arab and Muslim nations, that were interested in contributing troops to the international force emphasized the significance of Security Council authorization for their involvement.
The U.S. resolution supports President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire strategy, which proposes the establishment of a Board of Peace led by Trump as a transitional authority. It also sanctions the stabilization force with a broad mandate encompassing border oversight, security provision, and demilitarization tasks within Gaza. The authorization for both the board and force is set to expire at the conclusion of 2027.
Hamas, however, rejected the UN Security Council’s adoption of the U.S.-crafted resolution, asserting that it overlooks the rights and demands of Palestinians. According to Hamas, the resolution imposes an international trusteeship on Gaza, a move not backed by the Palestinian populace.
During the extensive negotiations on the U.S. resolution, Arab nations and Palestinians urged the U.S. to enhance the initial weak language regarding Palestinian self-determination. The revised resolution now suggests that progress towards Palestinian self-determination and statehood could materialize after reforms by the Palestinian Authority and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed opposition to any initiative leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state, fearing it would embolden Hamas and possibly result in a larger Hamas-controlled territory near Israel’s borders. The resolution’s adoption was facilitated by the support from Arab and Muslim nations advocating for a ceasefire and potentially contributing to the international force.
In a separate development, Russia introduced its own proposal emphasizing support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel and the unification of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority. The proposal also omitted references to the transitional board, suggesting a role for the Security Council in implementing the ceasefire plan and deploying an international security force in Gaza.
The U.S. resolution mandates the stabilization force to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza and the permanent disarmament of non-state armed groups. The resolution allows for the use of necessary measures by the force in compliance with international law. Additionally, it stipulates that as stability is restored by the international force, Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza based on agreed standards and timelines tied to demilitarization efforts.
