United Nations Security Council Backs the US Gaza Strip Initiative

A UN Security Council has voted to endorse measures presented by Donald Trump for achieving a lasting peace in Gaza, including the stationing of an global peacekeeping force and a possible path to a sovereign Palestinian state.

Unanimous Backing with Key Abstentions

This measure was passed by a count of thirteen in favor, with Russia and China abstaining. The US envoy Mike Waltz addressed the international body that it mapped “a different path in the area for Israelis and Palestinians and all the residents of the area alike”.

Compromise Language on Palestinian Statehood

Incorporation of mentions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the US paid for support from the Arab states, who are expected to supply stabilisation troops for the international stabilisation force (ISF).

“Interim measures that we embark on today must be executed in following international law and respecting Palestinian self-determination,” James Kariuki affirmed.

Israeli Objection Remains

However, on the brink of the resolution approval, PM Netanyahu reaffirmed his administration's strong objection to the creation of a Palestinian state, raising questions on whether Tel Aviv will accept the execution of the Council-backed plan.

Central Components of the Resolution

• Prompt removal of ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza
• Formation of an international stabilisation force
• Moves towards reconstruction and a eventual “avenue to Palestinian independence and sovereignty”

Vague Phrasing and Conditions

The mention to Palestinian statehood was a compromise addition to an original American proposal which omitted it. However the phrasing is unclear and contingent, promising only that once the Palestinian Authority has implemented reforms and the reconstruction of the strip is under way, “the conditions may ultimately be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

Global Response

The phrasing did not meet of the strong guarantee to the creation of a independent Palestinian entity next to Israel desired by Arab countries, as well as EU representatives, but in speeches to the assembly after the approval, envoys from those states said they were ready to support the compromise in the benefit of prolonging the present ceasefire and immediate measures to provide for and safeguard the millions of Palestinian residents in the territory.

“Algeria has ultimately decided to vote in favour of this resolution, a measure that we back its primary aim, namely the preservation of the truce and the creation of conditions permitting the Palestinian population to exercise their immeasurable rights to independence and statehood,” Algeria's representative declared.

Implementation Challenges

The proposal gives general supervisory power to a “board of peace” led by Trump, but of unspecified participants. The group has to inform the international body but it is not bound by the desires of the global organization or by the Palestinian Authority.

It also calls for the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic committee that is supposed to run day-to-day governance of the Gaza Strip and the delivery of services, but it is highly uncertain who would take part.

Peacekeeping Unit Mission

The mission of the global force empowers it to remove and dissolve fighting factions in the territory, but it is far from clear that potential participating nations would be willing to engage such organizations. No country has to date agreed to sending peacekeepers.

Moreover the requirements for changes to the PA, the precondition towards moves to a sovereign Palestinian, have been vague.

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