A resolution mandating a transitional administration and an international stabilization force in Gaza has been approved by the UN Security Council, which calls for a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood.
The United States’ 20-point peace plan, which was drafted into the resolution, was approved on Monday by a 13-0 vote, allowing for the crucial next steps to the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. China and Russia both abstained from the vote.
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Prior to joining an international force, Arab and other Muslim nations had previously stated that a UN mandate was necessary for their participation. To move the draft past the finish line, the US had more clearly defined language about Palestinian self-determination.
After the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-governance in the occupied West Bank, implements reforms and advances in the redevelopment of Gaza, “conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” according to the draft.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted with fury when he claimed on Sunday that Israel would continue to oppose a Palestinian state and that it would demilitarize Gaza “the easy way or the hard way.”
If the UN approves a Palestinian statehood, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir also opposes the resolution, which calls for the killing of Palestinian Authority officials.
Following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated that the resolution “represents another significant step that will allow Gaza to prosper in an environment that will allow Israel to live in security.”
Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, expressed gratitude to Trump for “his personal commitment to establishing and maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza.”
However, he said, “We underline that genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without justice for the Palestinians who have waited for decades for the establishment of their independent state.”
Resolution is rejected by Hamas.
According to the US resolution, the stabilization forces will assist in securing border areas along with a trained and vetted Palestinian police force, and they will work with other nations to coordinate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. It recommends that the force work closely with Egypt and Israel, which are both close neighbors.
Additionally, it calls for the stabilization force to “promote the demilitization of the Gaza Strip” and “permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.” The force is empowered by the resolution to “take all necessary steps to carry out its mandate.”
Hamas, which has refused to agree to the disarmament resolution, objected, claiming that it had violated Palestinians’ rights and demands and had sought to impose an international trust in the area of opposition from Palestinians and resistance groups.
The organization claimed that by assigning the international force with tasks and responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, including disarming the opposition, it loses its neutrality and makes it a party to the occupation-led conflict.
According to the resolution, Israeli forces would leave Gaza “based on standards, milestones, and timeframes related to demilitarization,” as determined by the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the US, and the guarantors of the ceasefire.
Russia’s competing resolution
Trump thanked nations that “strongly supported the effort, including Qatar, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkiye, and Jordan,” according to Trump’s Truth Social platform.
A rival resolution was distributed by Russia, which stressed the need for a Security Council role to ensure security in Gaza and the implementation of the ceasefire. It also highlighted the importance of a contiguous state under the Palestinian Authority.
Gabriel Elizondo, a journalist from New York, stated in a report that “the US draft resolution has some merit.” Many claim that it simply alters the dynamics, but it still leaves Gaza, essentially occupied, by a different entity.
Washington and other countries hoped that Moscow would not veto a UN resolution by using its veto power.
Marwan Bishara, a senior political analyst for Al Jazeera, described the resolution as a “reflection of the imbalance of power in the Middle East in favor of the United States and the imbalance of power on the ground in Gaza in favor of Israel.”
Israel has continued to carry out deadly attacks in Gaza almost daily and to obstruct humanitarian aid despite the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10.
Source: Aljazeera
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