United Nations Security Council Approves Donald Trump's Gaza Peace Plan

The global body has approved proposals presented by the US president for establishing a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, featuring the deployment of an international stabilisation force and a possible path to a Palestinian statehood.

Broad Support with Notable Abstentions

The resolution was approved by a tally of thirteen supporting, with China and Russia abstaining. Washington's diplomat the American delegate informed the UN assembly that it mapped “a fresh direction in the region for the conflicting parties and all the people of the territory alike”.

Compromise Wording on Independence

The inclusion of references to an independent Palestine was the concession the United States offered for support from the Muslim nations, who are anticipated to contribute security forces for the multinational unit.

“The transitional arrangements that we start today must be executed in following legal norms and respecting Palestinian self-determination,” the UK chargé d’affaires affirmed.

Israeli Opposition Remains

Nonetheless, on the verge of the resolution approval, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his administration's adamant opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state, creating uncertainty on whether Israel will accept the enactment of the Council-backed plan.

Key Provisions of the Measure

• Swift elimination of remaining curbs on relief supplies into Gaza
• Formation of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Moves towards restoration and a eventual “avenue to Palestinian self-determination and sovereignty”

Ambiguous Wording and Conditions

The reference to sovereignty was a negotiated inclusion to an original American proposal which omitted it. Yet the language is unclear and dependent, stating only that once the Palestinian leadership has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of the territory is progressing, “the circumstances may ultimately be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian independence and statehood.”

Worldwide Feedback

The language did not meet of the strong guarantee to the establishment of a Palestinian state beside Israel requested by Arab countries, as well as EU representatives, but in speeches to the council after the approval, envoys from those countries said they were prepared to accept the agreement in the benefit of extending the ongoing cessation of hostilities and immediate measures to feed and protect the 2.2 million Palestinian residents in Gaza.

“Algeria has eventually decided to support of this text, a text that we support its core objective, namely the continuation of the ceasefire and the formation of situations permitting the Palestinians to assert their basic entitlements to independence and statehood,” Amar Bendjama announced.

Practical Difficulties

The proposal gives general supervisory power to a “stabilisation committee” headed by the US president, but of uncertain membership. This committee has to inform the UN but it is not obligated by the wishes of the global organization or by the Palestinian leadership.

Additionally, it requires the creation of a Palestinian technocratic committee that is tasked with overseeing routine management of the territory and the delivery of services, but it is far from clear who would participate.

Peacekeeping Unit Authority

The mandate of the ISF authorizes it to remove and dissolve militant organizations in the territory, but it is quite ambiguous that would-be troop contributors would agree to attempt to confront such groups. Not a single nation has so far pledged to contributing forces.

Additionally the criteria for changes to the PA, the requirement towards progress on independence, have been unclear.

European officials said they considered it urgent that the names of the expert panel to distribute aid was determined as without delay.