In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United Nations Security Council voted on Monday to approve President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This resolution marks the first time the U.N. has provided a binding mandate for the administration’s approach to resolving the conflict and rebuilding the devastated Gaza Strip following two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
The resolution, which passed with 13 votes in favor and none against, saw Russia and China abstain after support from several Arab and Muslim nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, and Pakistan. This outcome represents a major diplomatic win for the Trump administration, which had previously found itself isolated at the U.N. over its strong support for Israel.
Central to the U.S.-backed resolution is the establishment of an International Stabilization Force tasked with entering, demilitarizing, and temporarily governing Gaza. The plan also introduces a “Board of Peace” to oversee the implementation, though the resolution does not specify the board’s membership or governance structure.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, described Gaza as “hell on earth” and held up the resolution as a “lifeline” for the region. He expressed gratitude to the Council for “charting a new course for Israelis, Palestinians, and all the people in the region alike.”
While Security Council resolutions carry the weight of international law, enforcement relies on the Council’s ability to impose penalties, such as sanctions, against violators.
Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, characterized the vote as both a diplomatic victory for the Trump administration and an affirmation of the U.N.’s ongoing relevance. However, the road ahead remains uncertain, with Israeli military operations continuing in Gaza and sporadic violence flaring in the West Bank.
Key next steps include appointing members to the Board of Peace and clarifying the operational authority of the stabilization force. The resolution suggests that, should the Palestinian Authority implement necessary reforms and progress in Gaza’s reconstruction, conditions may finally emerge for a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, speaking on behalf of the U.N.’s Arab Group, thanked President Trump for his engagement but emphasized the need for justice and genuine progress toward Palestinian statehood. Many Council members, including France, Slovenia, Guyana, Pakistan, and Somalia, expressed concern that the resolution does not explicitly guarantee Palestinian statehood. Nonetheless, they supported the measure to encourage political momentum, prevent renewed violence, and facilitate humanitarian aid, reiterating the importance of Gaza’s territorial integrity and a two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s opposition to a Palestinian state, stating, “our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed.” The stabilization force will also face the challenge of dealing with armed Hamas fighters and is mandated to dismantle militant infrastructure in Gaza. However, countries expected to contribute troops—such as Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and the UAE—have expressed reluctance to engage in direct conflict with Palestinian militants, fearing backlash at home.
The Trump administration sought U.N. authorization to ensure that contributing countries would not be perceived as occupying forces. The resolution underwent several revisions, with European Council members demanding greater clarity on Palestinian statehood and the composition of the Board of Peace. At one stage, Russia proposed a competing resolution calling for immediate Palestinian statehood but ultimately abstained after the U.S. rallied Arab and Muslim nations to support its proposal.
Diplomats indicated that Ambassador Waltz warned that failure to pass the resolution could lead to the collapse of the Gaza cease-fire. The stakes remain high for all sides: Palestinians seek an end to suffering and war, Israelis demand Hamas’s disarmament, and the U.S. aims to secure its role as a principal architect of regional peace.
The resolution also empowers the World Bank to direct funding for Gaza’s reconstruction, establishing a dedicated trust fund for this purpose. It authorizes the Board of Peace to oversee Gaza at least through the end of 2027, with daily administration handled by a “technocratic, apolitical committee of competent Palestinians from the Strip.” In addition, the stabilization force is tasked with collaborating with Egypt and Israel to train Palestinian police, protect civilians, secure humanitarian corridors, and manage border security.
While the resolution marks a turning point in international engagement with the Gaza crisis, its successful implementation will depend on overcoming substantial political, security, and logistical challenges that remain unresolved.
