The UN Security Council has officially endorsed a peace plan proposed by Donald Trump aimed at achieving lasting stability in Gaza. The resolution passed with a vote of 13-0, while China and Russia abstained. This decision marks a significant moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy, as it outlines a potential pathway towards a sovereign Palestinian state and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
Mike Waltz, the US envoy to the UN, described the resolution as a means to chart “a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike.” The inclusion of references to an independent Palestine was a strategic concession made by the US to garner support from the Arab and Islamic nations, who are expected to contribute peacekeepers for the international stabilisation force (ISF).
Despite this progress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s strong opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. His remarks raise concerns regarding Israel’s willingness to allow the implementation of the UN-mandated proposals. Supporters of the resolution argue that it should prompt the immediate removal of remaining restrictions on aid to Gaza, establish an ISF to replace Israeli military presence, and initiate reconstruction efforts. This is seen as a step towards creating conditions for “Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
The resolution’s language regarding Palestinian statehood was a compromise, differing from the initial US draft that did not mention it. It suggests that once the Palestinian Authority has undergone necessary reforms and Gaza’s reconstruction is underway, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” Critics note that this wording lacks the firm commitment to a Palestinian state that Arab and European council members have sought.
After the vote, delegates expressed a willingness to accept the compromise for the sake of extending the current ceasefire and addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of the 2.2 million Palestinians living in Gaza. James Kariuki, the UK chargé d’affaires, emphasized, “The transitional arrangements that we embark on today must be implemented in accordance with international law and respecting Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination.”
The resolution’s key provisions also include the affirmation of Palestinian rights, as highlighted by Amar Bendjama, the Algerian envoy speaking on behalf of the Arab bloc. Bendjama pointed to the annex of the resolution, which he stated addresses these rights comprehensively. He noted, “This resolution must be read in its entirety. Its annex is an integral part of it, and all parties must comply with it.”
Netanyahu’s initial acceptance of the resolution has reportedly shifted following backlash from the far-right factions within his coalition. On Sunday, he reiterated, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed.”
This resolution represents a rare instance of unified action by the UN concerning Gaza, particularly after two years of diplomatic deadlock during which over 71,000 Palestinians have died, leading to allegations of genocide from various human rights organizations.
The resolution’s passage required vague language, allowing Russia and China to abstain rather than veto it. It establishes a “board of peace” chaired by Trump, although the membership and authority of this board remain unclear. Furthermore, it proposes the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to oversee daily governance in Gaza, but participation details are still uncertain.
The mandate for the ISF gives it the power to disarm groups like Hamas, yet the commitment from countries to contribute troops remains uncertain. Additionally, the criteria for reforming the Palestinian Authority, a prerequisite for advancing towards Palestinian sovereignty, are described as ambiguous. European diplomats stress the urgency of quickly establishing the names of the Palestinian technocratic committee to ensure effective service delivery and governance in Gaza.
