The United Nations Security Council delivered a diplomatic victory to President Donald Trump on Monday, voting 13 to 0 to approve a comprehensive resolution endorsing his 20-point Gaza peace plan.
The measure authorizes deployment of an International Stabilization Force and establishes a Board of Peace to oversee Gaza's governance, reconstruction, and economic recovery through the end of 2027.
Russia and China abstained but did not exercise veto power, allowing the resolution to pass after nearly two weeks of intense negotiations with Arab and Muslim nations.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz called the vote historic and constructive, stating it represents another significant step toward a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper.
Eight nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement Friday endorsing the resolution and indicating willingness to contribute troops.
What Does the Board of Peace Actually Control
The Board of Peace, chaired by Trump himself, will function as Gaza's transitional governing authority with sweeping powers over security, reconstruction, and economic development.
Trump announced he will name board members in the coming weeks, though specific individuals and their qualifications remain undisclosed.
The board operates independently of the Palestinian Authority, drawing sharp criticism from Chinese UN envoy Fu Cong, who argued Palestinian sovereignty and ownership are not fully reflected in the resolution.
According to the resolution text, the board maintains authority to coordinate all international civil and security presences in Gaza until December 2027, subject to further Security Council action.
The structure allows Trump's administration to directly shape post-war governance without requiring Palestinian Authority involvement in day-to-day decisions.
Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia complained the resolution lacks clarity about timeframes for transferring control to the Palestinian Authority and gives the board autonomous power without regard for Ramallah's position.
Did you know?
The term "United Nations" was first coined by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 1, 1942, in the "Declaration by United Nations," where representatives of 26 nations pledged to continue fighting the Axis Powers.
How Will the International Stabilization Force Operate
The International Stabilization Force received authorization to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate, a UN phrase that permits military action under international law.
The force will secure Gaza's borders, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and oversee the permanent decommissioning of weapons from Hamas and other armed groups.
Troops will work alongside newly trained Palestinian police while coordinating closely with Israeli forces and Egypt.
US officials indicated the force will stabilize the security environment, support demilitarization efforts, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and maintain safety for Palestinian civilians.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that in areas where Israeli troops remain deployed, the IDF will carry out disarmament, while in other parts of Gaza, the international force will handle the task, or the IDF itself if necessary.
The resolution authorizes the force through December 2027, with any reauthorization requiring full cooperation and coordination with Egypt, Israel, and contributing member states.
Why Did Russia and China Abstain Rather Than Veto
Russia and China both expressed serious reservations about the resolution but chose not to block it with vetoes, a decision that reflected complex geopolitical calculations.
Russian envoy Nebenzia argued key legal components were ignored and complained about vague language regarding the Board of Peace and stabilization force acting without the Palestinian Authority's input.
His abstention allowed the resolution to pass while preserving Moscow's relationship with Arab states and avoiding responsibility for blocking a potential peace framework.
Chinese envoy Fu Cong described the resolution as lacking in many respects and deeply worrying, particularly regarding vague and unclear critical elements.
He criticized the post-war governance arrangements for barely making Palestine visible and failing to fully reflect Palestinian sovereignty.
Both nations likely calculated that vetoing the measure would damage their standing with Middle Eastern partners and Arab League members who publicly endorsed the plan, while abstaining preserved diplomatic flexibility.
ALSO READ | Ukraine Signs Deal for 100 French Rafale Jets Over Next Decade
Can Hamas Be Disarmed Without Israeli Military Action
Hamas immediately rejected the resolution, calling it an attempt to impose international guardianship on Gaza that strips the proposed force of neutrality and turns it into a party favoring the occupation.
The group insisted any international force must deploy only at the borders to separate forces and monitor the ceasefire under full UN supervision.
Hamas stated the resolution fails to meet Palestinian political and humanitarian demands and rights, signaling it will not voluntarily surrender weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Gaza will be demilitarized either the easy way or the hard way, emphasizing that Trump shares this view.
Netanyahu addressed concerns about so-called non-demilitarization in Hamas-controlled areas, stating there will be no such thing and that Hamas will be stripped of its weapons down to the last tunnel.
The contradiction between Hamas's rejection and Israel's insistence on total disarmament suggests the International Stabilization Force will face armed resistance or require extensive Israeli military support to accomplish its mandate.
What Happens to Palestinian Statehood Under This Plan
The resolution's language on Palestinian statehood became highly contentious during negotiations, with Arab nations pressuring for stronger commitments.
The final text states that conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood once the Palestinian Authority completes reforms and Gaza's reconstruction advances.
This conditional phrasing represents a diplomatic compromise that satisfies neither Israeli nor Palestinian demands.
Netanyahu vowed Sunday to oppose any Palestinian state, declaring Israel's opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory west of the Jordan River exists, is valid, and has not changed one bit.
He stressed that his government still views this stance as a firm red line, even as the US continues its diplomatic push. The timing of the vote underscored the tension.
It came just a day before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first White House visit since 2018, with Riyadh making clear that any normalization with Israel depends on real movement toward Palestinian statehood. This condition has created a major diplomatic deadlock.
The resolution's passage represents a diplomatic gamble that international presence and Trump's direct involvement can overcome deep-seated opposition from both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Whether the Board of Peace can navigate between Netanyahu's rejection of statehood and Hamas's rejection of international oversight will determine if this framework produces lasting change or becomes another failed peace initiative.
The coming months will test whether military force, diplomatic pressure, or economic incentives can bridge gaps that decades of negotiations have failed to close.
Comments (0)
Please sign in to leave a comment