Israel and Hamas last month endorsed the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza proposal — a cease-fire in their two-year conflict and a hostage-release agreement — but UN approval is viewed as essential for legitimizing a transitional governing body and assuring countries considering contributing troops.
According to the text, UN member states may participate in the Trump-chaired Board of Peace, envisioned as an interim authority tasked with overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction and economic revival.
The resolution also authorizes the establishment of an international stabilization force responsible for demilitarizing Gaza, including dismantling weapons and eliminating militant infrastructure.
Hamas, however, reiterated in a statement that it will not give up its arms, asserting that its struggle against Israel constitutes legitimate resistance — a position that could set the group on a collision course with the newly mandated force.
“The resolution imposes an international guardianship over the Gaza Strip, something our people and factions reject,” Hamas said in its statement following the vote.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the measure — which includes Trump’s full 20-point plan as an annex — “lays out a viable path toward Palestinian self-determination … where rockets are replaced by olive branches and a political horizon can finally emerge.”
“It breaks Hamas’ hold, and it ensures Gaza can rise free from the shadow of terror — more stable, more prosperous, and more secure,” Waltz told the Security Council ahead of the vote.
Russia, which had earlier hinted it might veto the resolution, ultimately abstained, allowing it to pass. China also abstained, with both delegations criticizing the limited role envisioned for the UN in Gaza’s future.
“Essentially, the council is giving its blessing to a US initiative based solely on Washington’s assurances, handing full control of the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF, whose modalities we still know nothing about,” Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said after the vote.
The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, welcomed the resolution and said it is prepared to help implement it. Diplomats noted that the PA’s endorsement last week played a crucial role in preventing a Russian veto.
Trump hailed the vote as “a moment of truly historic proportion” in a social-media post, adding that the names of Board members — along with “many more exciting announcements” — would be unveiled in the coming weeks.
'Pathway' to statehood
The resolution has proven controversial in Israel because it references a future possibility of statehood for the Palestinians.
The resolution's text says that "conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" once the Palestinian Authority has carried out a reform program and Gaza's redevelopment has advanced.
"The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence," it says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from right-wing members of his government, said on Sunday that Israel remained opposed to a Palestinian state and pledged to demilitarise Gaza "the easy way or the hard way."
No comments:
Post a Comment