The UN Security Council is expected to vote late on Monday (Nov 17) on a US-drafted resolution that would formally approve President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and empower an international stabilization force tasked with overseeing the enclave’s post-war transition.
The vote is scheduled for 17:00 ET (2200 GMT), marking a major step in efforts to cement last month’s agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan – a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages. The UN resolution is seen as key to legitimizing the transitional governing body for Gaza and reassuring countries considering the deployment of peacekeepers.
What does the resolution propose?
According to a draft obtained by Reuters, the resolution allows UN member states to participate in the proposed Peace Council, a transitional body that would manage reconstruction and economic recovery in Gaza.
It also authorizes international stabilization forces to carry out the demilitarization of Gaza – including the decommissioning of weapons and the dismantling of military infrastructure. Trump’s entire 20-point plan is attached as an attachment to the resolution.
Geopolitical tensions
Russia, a veto-wielding member of the council, signaled potential opposition. The country introduced its own rival resolution calling on the UN to explore options for an international force rather than directly supporting the US version.
But diplomats say, according to a Reuters report, that public support for the U.S. draft of the Palestinian Authority last week has significantly boosted its chances of approval.
Resistance in Israel and from Hamas
The proposal has sparked controversy in Israel, where references to a potential path to Palestinian statehood have sparked political backlash.
The latest proposal says “conditions can finally be created for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” contingent on Palestinian Authority reforms and progress in Gaza reconstruction.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that Israel opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. He vowed to demilitarize Gaza “the easy way or the hard way,” insisting that Israel would not accept a future in which Hamas maintains armed capabilities.
Hamas, which rejected demands for disarmament, condemned the resolution in a statement issued Sunday by an umbrella group of Hamas-led factions. They called the proposal a “dangerous step” that would impose foreign tutelage over Gaza and accused the plan of advancing Israeli interests.
