UN Council Backs the US Gaza Strip Peace Plan

A Security Council has voted to endorse proposals presented by Donald Trump for achieving a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip, including the deployment of an multinational security unit and a potential path to a Palestinian statehood.

Unanimous Approval with Key Abstentions

The proposal was adopted by a vote of thirteen supporting, with Russia and China declining to cast votes. Washington's diplomat the US ambassador told the council chamber that it set “a new course in the area for both sides and all the residents of the territory alike”.

Negotiated Wording on Sovereignty

The inclusion of mentions to an self-governing Palestine was the price the US agreed to for support from the Arab and Islamic world, who are anticipated to provide security forces for the global force.

“Interim measures that we start today must be implemented in accordance with legal norms and upholding Palestinian self-determination,” James Kariuki declared.

Israeli Objection Continues

Nevertheless, on the eve of the UN vote, leader the Israeli leader restated his administration's firm resistance to the creation of a sovereign Palestine, raising questions on whether Israel will accept the implementation of the UN-mandated proposals.

Main Elements of the Resolution

• Swift elimination of remaining curbs on humanitarian aid into Gaza
• Establishment of an global security force
• Progress on restoration and a potential “route to Palestinian sovereignty and nationhood”

Ambiguous Phrasing and Stipulations

The inclusion to sovereignty was a balanced insertion to an original American proposal which omitted it. But the wording is unclear and dependent, declaring only that once the Palestinian leadership has reformed itself and the restoration of Gaza is progressing, “the situation may ultimately be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian sovereignty and statehood.”

Global Feedback

The phrasing was insufficient of the strong guarantee to the building of a Palestinian state beside Israel sought by Muslim nations, as well as European council members, but in speeches to the council after the decision, envoys from those nations said they were ready to support the compromise in the service of continuing the current truce and prompt actions to feed and protect the 2.2 million Palestinian people in the territory.

“Algeria has ultimately decided to endorse of this resolution, a measure that we back its core objective, namely the preservation of the truce and the formation of situations allowing the Palestinians to assert their immeasurable rights to self-determination and sovereignty,” Amar Bendjama announced.

Practical Difficulties

This measure grants comprehensive monitoring control to a “peace board” chaired by Donald Trump, but of uncertain membership. The group has to inform the UN but it is not obligated by the desires of the UN or by the Palestinian leadership.

It also calls for the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic committee that is expected to manage routine management of the Gaza Strip and the provision of utilities, but it is quite ambiguous who would be involved.

Stabilisation Team Authority

The mission of the ISF empowers it to disarm and dismantle fighting factions in Gaza, but it is far from clear that possible sending countries would agree to attempt to confront such groups. No country has yet agreed to dispatching troops.

Furthermore the standards for changes to the PA, the prerequisite towards moves to a sovereign Palestinian, have been vague.

European diplomats said they deemed it necessary that the names of the Palestinian technocratic committee to deliver services was settled as without delay.