President Donald Trump secured a major diplomatic achievement Monday as the UN Security Council approved his comprehensive 20-point peace proposal for Gaza, with only Russia and China abstaining from the vote.
The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and no vetoes, marking what Trump described as “one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations” that “will lead to further Peace all over the World.”
Writing on Truth Social, the president celebrated the “incredible Vote” and announced plans for a “Board of Peace,” which he would chair alongside what he called “the most powerful and respected leaders throughout the World.”
The Peace Framework
The approved plan establishes several key mechanisms for stabilizing the region:
The resolution creates an International Stabilization Force (ISF) that would collaborate with Israel, Egypt, and newly-trained Palestinian police to secure border areas and demilitarize Gaza. This force is tasked with decommissioning weapons from non-state armed groups, protecting civilians, and securing humanitarian corridors.
A transitional governing body called the “Board of Peace” would oversee Gaza through the end of 2027, with Trump serving as chair.
The plan also outlines a potential pathway to Palestinian statehood, contingent on Palestinian Authority reforms and Gaza’s reconstruction. According to the resolution, these developments could create “conditions for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
Diplomatic Efforts and Support
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz praised the vote as “another significant step that will enable Gaza to prosper” while allowing Israel to “live in security.” He credited Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, with brokering the agreement during recent negotiations in Egypt with Hamas and Qatari officials.
The deal has already yielded results, according to Waltz, including a ceasefire that began October 10 and the release of 45 hostages by Hamas.
Describing Gaza as “a hell on Earth” after two years of conflict, Waltz urged council members to seize the opportunity, warning that “a vote against this resolution is a vote to return to war.”
International Concerns and Compromises
Several Security Council members—including France, Slovenia, Guyana, Pakistan, and Somalia—initially expressed concerns about vague language regarding Palestinian statehood. However, they ultimately supported the measure after Arab and Muslim nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, urged approval.
These countries emphasized that lasting peace requires maintaining Gaza’s territorial integrity and pursuing a two-state solution.
Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama, representing the only Arab member on the Security Council, stressed that “genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without justice—justice for the Palestinian people, who have waited for decades for the creation of their independent state.”
Remaining Challenges
Significant obstacles remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Sunday that Israel’s “opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed.”
Arab and Muslim countries expected to contribute troops—including Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates—have expressed concern about potential armed confrontations with Palestinian militants and the risk of public backlash in their home countries.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Dannon emphasized that disarming Hamas remains essential, stating Israel “will not stop or let up until Hamas no longer presents a threat.”
Russia circulated an alternative draft resolution calling for stronger commitment to a two-state solution, though it did not receive enough support. Moscow’s proposal would have delayed authorization of the Board of Peace and international force deployment.
Despite these hurdles, Waltz argued that delay would be deadly, warning that “everyday without this force, aid trucks lie idle, children starve and extremists re-group.” The UK government pledged to work with the US and partners to implement the resolution and develop “a credible pathway to a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike, based on a two-state solution.”RetryClaude can make mistakes.
