The UN Security Council is preparing to vote on a resolution drafted by the US to deploy a stabilisation force in Gaza, a key component of Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. The revised draft endorses the plan, which facilitated a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October. The new version authorises the creation of an ‘International Stabilisation Force’ (ISF) to collaborate with Israel, Egypt, and ‘vetted Palestinian police units’ to secure border areas and demilitarise Gaza. The force’s mandate includes securing humanitarian corridors, protecting civilians, and overseeing the disarmament of non-state armed groups.
Additionally, the resolution proposes the establishment of a ‘Board of Peace,’ a transitional governing body for Gaza with a term until 2027, potentially chaired by Trump. This board would comprise Palestinians, world experts, and figures like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The ISF is expected to eventually transfer control of Gaza to a reformed Palestinian Authority, paving the way for Palestinian self-determination and statehood – a notion firmly opposed by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The UN Security Council vote is scheduled for 5pm.
Russia has put forward a competing proposal, critiquing the US document for not adequately supporting the creation of a Palestinian state. Moscow’s draft emphasizes the commitment to a two-state solution without immediate deployment of an international force or the establishment of a Board of Peace. Instead, it calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide recommendations on these matters. Despite objections, the US has garnered support from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, urging Council members to endorse the resolution to avoid the resurgence of conflict in the region.
The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, emphasized the risks of opposing the resolution, framing it as a choice between upholding peace or perpetuating conflict with Hamas and Israel. Efforts to secure backing for the resolution have intensified, with the US countering critiques of the proposal. While some states express skepticism, diplomats anticipate the adoption of the US draft, expecting China and Russia to abstain rather than veto. The dynamics within the Council underscore the complexities of international efforts to address the Gaza situation and advance towards lasting peace.
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