The U.S. proposal for Gaza, approved by the United Nations Security Council on Monday, includes the deployment of an international stabilization force to enhance security in the devastated area and lays out a potential pathway to an independent Palestinian state. Russia and China chose to abstain from the 13-0 vote, with hopes that Russia would not exercise its veto power to block the resolution.
This vote marks a critical advancement for the fragile ceasefire and the planning for Gaza’s future after a two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. Arab and Muslim nations interested in contributing troops to the international force emphasized the importance of Security Council authorization for their involvement.
The resolution supports President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire strategy, which proposes the establishment of a Board of Peace as a transitional authority under Trump’s leadership. It also grants the stabilization force broad responsibilities, such as border oversight, security provision, and demilitarization of the region. The authorization for both the board and force is set to expire by the end of 2027.
Hamas expressed discontent with the resolution, rejecting the imposition of an international trusteeship on Gaza, which they believe goes against Palestinian interests. The group criticized the resolution for compromising the neutrality of the international force by involving it in disarming the resistance, thereby favoring the occupation.
The Palestinian Authority and various Arab nations pushed for stronger language in the resolution regarding Palestinian self-determination during the two weeks of negotiations. The revised resolution now states that after reforms by the Palestinian Authority and reconstruction efforts in Gaza progress, conditions may be conducive to establishing a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, fearing it would empower Hamas and potentially lead to a larger Hamas-run state on Israel’s borders.
The adoption of the resolution was aided by the support of Arab and Muslim nations advocating for a ceasefire and potentially contributing troops to the international force. Russia presented its own proposal, emphasizing support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel and calling for the unification of the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority.
The U.S. resolution mandates the stabilization force to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza and the permanent disarmament of non-state armed groups. The challenge remains in disarming Hamas, which has not fully embraced this requirement. The resolution empowers the force to employ necessary measures in compliance with international law, including the use of military force.
Additionally, the resolution tasks the stabilization troops with securing border areas, collaborating with a trained and vetted Palestinian police force, and coordinating with neighboring countries to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid. As stability is established, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from Gaza based on agreed-upon demilitarization standards and timelines set by the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the U.S., and the ceasefire guarantors.
