The U.S. proposal for Gaza, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council on Monday, includes plans for an international force to enhance security in the war-torn region and potentially pave the way for an independent Palestinian state. Russia, which had put forward a competing resolution, chose to abstain from the 13-0 vote along with China, avoiding a potential veto that could have hindered the resolution’s adoption.
This approval marks a significant advancement in the ongoing efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and define the region’s future post the Israeli-Hamas conflict spanning two years. The authorization by the Security Council was seen as crucial by Arab and Muslim nations willing to contribute troops to the international force.
The resolution aligns with President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire strategy, introducing a Board of Peace as a transitional governing body led by Trump. Additionally, it empowers the stabilization force with a broad mandate encompassing border oversight, security provision, and demilitarization within the territory until the end of 2027.
However, Hamas has voiced opposition to the resolution, claiming it disregards Palestinian rights and imposes an international trusteeship on Gaza without the support of the Palestinian population. The group argues that assigning tasks like disarming the resistance to the international force compromises its neutrality and favors the occupation.
In response to pressure from Arab nations and Palestinians during negotiations, the U.S. revised the resolution to acknowledge the potential for Palestinian self-determination and statehood once the Palestinian Authority implements reforms and Gaza reconstruction progresses. This revised language drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who staunchly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, fearing it would embolden Hamas.
The adoption of the resolution was facilitated by backing from Arab and Muslim nations advocating for a ceasefire and potential involvement in the international force. Concurrently, Russia presented its own proposal emphasizing a Palestinian state alongside Israel and the amalgamation of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority.
The U.S. resolution mandates the stabilization force to oversee the demilitarization process in Gaza and the disarming of non-state armed groups like Hamas. It grants the force the authority to employ necessary measures in compliance with international law and emphasizes collaboration with neighboring countries like Egypt and Israel for securing borders and facilitating humanitarian aid flow.
As the international force takes charge to stabilize the region, the resolution outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza contingent upon demilitarization progress, with milestones and timeframes established in consultation with the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the U.S., and ceasefire guarantors.