The United Nations approves an American plan that allows the deployment of an international force to stabilize Gaza

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved a U.S. plan for Gaza that allows an international stabilization force to provide security in the devastated area and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.

Russia, which circulated a competing resolution, abstained from voting along with China by 13 votes to zero. The United States and other countries hoped that Moscow would not use its veto power in the most powerful body in the United Nations to prevent the adoption of the resolution.

The vote was a crucial next step for a fragile ceasefire and efforts to determine Gaza’s future after two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Arab and other Islamic countries that have expressed interest in providing forces to participate in an international force have indicated that Security Council authorization is necessary for their participation.

The US decision supports President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which calls for the formation of a peace council that has not yet been formed as a transitional authority headed by Trump. It also authorizes the establishment of a stabilization force and grants it broad powers, including supervising borders and providing security and disarmament in the region. The mandate of the Board of Directors and the Force expires at the end of 2027.

Read more: Read Trump’s 20-point proposal to end the war in Gaza

US Ambassador Mike Waltz described the decision as “historic and constructive,” saying that it begins a new path in the Middle East.

He added: “Today’s decision represents another important step towards a stable Gaza that will be able to thrive and an environment that allows Israel to live in safety.” He stressed that the decision is “just the beginning.”

Strong language on Palestinian statehood helps bring the American plan to the finish line

During nearly two weeks of negotiations over the US resolution, Arab countries and the Palestinians pressured the United States to strengthen the originally weak language on Palestinian self-determination.

The United States revised it to say that after the Palestinian Authority – which now rules parts of the West Bank – made reforms and made progress in redeveloping the devastated Gaza Strip, “conditions may finally be ripe for a credible path to self-determination and Palestinian statehood.”

She added, “The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.”

This language angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state. He has long maintained that the creation of a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and ultimately lead to a larger Hamas-run state on Israel’s borders.

The main factor in adopting the resolution was the support of Arab and Islamic countries to press for a ceasefire and potential contribution to the international force. The US mission to the United Nations distributed a joint statement on Friday with Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey calling for “rapid adoption” of the US proposal.

Russia has put forward its own plan

The vote took place amid hopes of maintaining a fragile ceasefire in Gaza after the war sparked by a surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people. The Israeli attack, which has continued for more than two years, has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says that the majority of them are women and children.

Last week, Russia suddenly circulated a competing proposal with stronger language that supports the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel and stressed the necessity of annexing the West Bank and Gaza Strip as a state affiliated with the Palestinian Authority.

The resolution also excluded reference to the Transitional Council and asked United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present options for forming an international force to provide security in Gaza and implement the ceasefire plan, stressing the importance of the role of the Security Council.

What else does the American proposal say?

The US resolution calls on the Stabilization Force to ensure “the disarmament process in the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent withdrawal of weapons from non-state armed groups.” The big question here is how to disarm Hamas, which has not fully accepted this step.

It authorizes the force “to use all measures necessary to carry out its mandate” in accordance with international law, which is UN language for the use of military force.

The resolution says that stabilization forces will help secure the border areas, along with a Palestinian police force that it has trained and vetted, and will coordinate with other countries to secure the flow of humanitarian aid. It says the force should consult and cooperate closely with neighboring Egypt and Israel.

As the international force establishes control and achieves stability, the resolution says that Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza “on the basis of criteria, milestones and time frames linked to disarmament.” He added that these matters must be approved by the Stabilization Force, the Israeli forces, the United States, and the ceasefire guarantors.