The resolution references a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state
The UN Security Council has voted in favour of a US-drafted resolution endorsing Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, a step seen as crucial to providing international support for the plan.
The vote endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the momentum of the fragile ceasefire brokered last month.
It also marks a key next step for American efforts to outline the future of Gaza, and to reassure countries that are considering sending troops to the enclave.
“This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations, will lead to further Peace all over the World, and is a moment of true Historic proportion!” Trump posted on social media following the vote.
Hamas rejects ‘international guardianship’
The vote came after negotiations over the language about Palestinian self-determination.
The proposal gives no timeline or guarantee for an independent state, saying it is only possible after advances in the reconstruction of Gaza and reforms of the Palestinian Authority, which now governs parts of the West Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and repeated that position Sunday at a time when his hard-line governing partners have expressed concern about the resolution’s endorsement of a “pathway” to Palestinian independence.
The US revised the resolution to say that after those steps, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.
The resolution also says member states can take part in the Trump-chaired Board of Peace envisioned as a transitional authority that would oversee reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza.
Hamas, in a statement following the vote said: “The resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject.”
Russia abstains
Russia, which holds a veto on the Security Council, earlier signaled potential opposition to the resolution but abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass.
The UN ambassadors of Russia and China, which also abstained, complained that the resolution does not give the UN a clear role in the future of Gaza.
“In essence, the council is giving its blessing to a US initiative on the basis of Washington’s promises, giving complete control over the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF (international stabilization force), the modalities of which we know nothing about so far,” Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told the council following the vote.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the resolution, and said it is ready to take part in its implementation.
Diplomats said the authority’s endorsement of the resolution last week was key to preventing a Russian veto.
Vote paves way for international force
The resolution includes a plan for the establishment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
It would work with Israel, Egypt and a newly created Palestinian police force to help secure borders and to disarm militant groups such as Hamas.
As the international force establishes control, the resolution says Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza “based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization.”
These must be agreed to by the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the US and the guarantors of the ceasefire, it says.
Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the UN, said the force would be “tasked with securing the area, supporting the demilitarization of Gaza, dismantling the terrorist infrastructure, removing weapons, and ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians”.
Arab and other Muslim countries that expressed interest in providing troops for an international force had signaled that UN authorisation was essential for their participation.
Trump has said the members of the Board of Peace will be named in the coming weeks, along with “many more exciting announcements.”
