The UN Security Council is set to vote on a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and authorizing an international stabilization force for the Palestinian enclave.
The vote, scheduled for 5:00 pm ET (2200 GMT) on Monday, comes after Israel and Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan, which included a ceasefire and a hostage-release deal. The resolution is considered crucial for legitimizing a transitional governance body and encouraging countries to contribute troops to Gaza.
The latest draft of the resolution, seen by Reuters, allows member states to participate in the so-called Board of Peace, a transitional authority overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery.
It also authorizes the deployment of an international stabilization force tasked with demilitarizing the enclave, including decommissioning weapons and dismantling military infrastructure. Trump’s 20-point plan is annexed to the resolution, providing the framework for these measures.
Russia, which holds a veto in the Security Council, has signaled potential opposition by proposing a rival resolution that would request UN exploration of options for an international force in Gaza.
However, the Palestinian Authority’s recent endorsement of the US-drafted resolution has improved its chances of passage. Diplomats expect broad support, noting that opposition from Russia or China would be politically difficult given regional backing.
The resolution has sparked controversy in Israel, as it references a future possibility of Palestinian statehood. The draft states that conditions may be established for a credible pathway to self-determination and statehood once the Palestinian Authority completes reforms and Gaza’s redevelopment progresses.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pressure from right-wing coalition members, reaffirmed Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state and warned that Gaza would be demilitarized “the easy way or the hard way.” Hamas has refused to disarm, and an umbrella group of Hamas-led factions criticized the resolution, describing it as a step toward foreign oversight and a measure that serves Israeli interests.
The UN vote is being closely watched, as it could determine the legitimacy of the transitional authority in Gaza and the international community’s role in stabilizing the region.
