UN Council Backs Donald Trump's Gaza Strip Peace Plan

A UN Security Council has voted to endorse measures advanced by President Trump for establishing a long-term stability in Gaza, including the stationing of an international stabilisation force and a possible avenue to a sovereign Palestinian state.

Widespread Support with Key Absent Votes

This measure was approved by a count of thirteen supporting, with China and Russia abstaining. The US envoy Mike Waltz told the international body that it charted “a fresh direction in the Middle East for the conflicting parties and all the residents of the area alike”.

Compromise Wording on Sovereignty

Addition of allusions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the United States agreed to for support from the Arab states, who are likely to contribute peacekeepers for the multinational unit.

“Provisional steps that we begin today must be executed in following legal norms and respecting Palestinian sovereignty,” the UK chargé d’affaires stated.

Israeli Objection Persists

Nevertheless, on the verge of the resolution approval, leader Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s adamant opposition to the creation of a sovereign Palestine, casting doubt on whether the Israeli government will permit the execution of the UN-mandated proposals.

Central Components of the Measure

• Immediate lifting of remaining curbs on assistance into Gaza
• Establishment of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Progress on rebuilding and a eventual “route to Palestinian independence and statehood”

Ambiguous Language and Requirements

The reference to independence was a negotiated inclusion to an first US version which did not mention it. However the wording is vague and conditional, declaring only that once the Palestinian Authority has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of the territory is advancing, “the situation may ultimately be in place for a feasible course to Palestinian independence and statehood.”

Worldwide Feedback

The language fell far short of the definite pledge to the creation of a independent Palestinian entity beside Israel sought by Arab and Islamic states, as well as European delegates, but in speeches to the chamber after the vote, envoys from those states said they were prepared to accept the settlement in the benefit of continuing the current truce and prompt actions to assist and secure the over two million Palestinian people in the strip.

“We has finally decided to endorse of this resolution, a resolution that we approve its core objective, namely the continuation of the truce and the establishment of circumstances allowing the Palestinians to claim their basic entitlements to independence and statehood,” the Algerian envoy declared.

Execution Hurdles

The resolution gives overall oversight authority to a “board of peace” headed by Trump, but of unspecified participants. The group has to update the UN but it is not obligated by the wishes of the United Nations or by the Palestinian Authority.

It also calls for the formation of a specialized Palestinian group that is expected to manage routine management of the territory and the delivery of services, but it is highly uncertain who would take part.

Stabilisation Team Authority

The authority of the ISF empowers it to disarm and dismantle armed groups in the territory, but it is quite ambiguous that would-be troop contributors would consent to confront such groups. Not a single nation has yet agreed to sending peacekeepers.

Moreover the criteria for reform of the Palestinian Authority, the precondition towards progress on independence, have been vague.

European diplomats said they viewed it as pressing that the members of the expert panel to deliver services was agreed as without delay.