UN Security Council Approves US Resolution on Gaza Peace Plan and Path to Palestinian Statehood

The UN Security Council has cast a decisive vote in favor of a United States-drafted resolution supporting President Trump's Gaza peace initiative.

On Monday, the Security Council approved the US-drafted resolution with 13 affirmative votes, with only Russia and China abstaining and no vetoes registered. The resolution reinforces Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan that includes provisions for an international peacekeeping force and establishes a pathway toward a future Palestinian state.

Following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz declared the resolution "historic and constructive," adding that it "represents another significant step that will enable Gaza to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security."

The resolution text underwent several revisions during intense negotiations before receiving endorsement. It supports the US president's plan, which has facilitated a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect on October 10 in the devastated Palestinian territory.

After two years of conflict triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Gaza Strip has been largely reduced to rubble.

The peace initiative authorizes the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) that would collaborate with Israel, Egypt, and newly trained Palestinian police to secure border areas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.

The ISF's mandate includes working toward the "permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups," protecting civilian populations, and securing humanitarian aid corridors.

The resolution also authorizes the formation of a "Board of Peace," which would serve as a transitional governing body for Gaza. President Trump would theoretically chair this board, with its mandate extending until the end of 2027.

Significantly, the resolution addresses the possibility of a future Palestinian state. It suggests that once the Palestinian Authority implements requested reforms and Gaza's reconstruction is underway, "the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood," although Israel has firmly rejected this prospect.

Russia, which holds veto power, circulated a competing draft, arguing that the US document insufficiently supports the creation of a Palestinian state. Moscow's alternative text called for "unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution" but did not authorize a Board of Peace or the immediate deployment of an international force, instead requesting the UN Secretary-General to provide "options" on these matters.

Before the vote, Ambassador Waltz emphasized that "delaying will cost lives."

The United States secured support from several Arab and Muslim-majority nations, publishing a joint statement backing the resolution signed by Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey.