United Nations Council Approves Donald Trump's Gaza Peace Plan

The global body has supported a plan put forward by Donald Trump for securing a durable ceasefire in Gaza, featuring the deployment of an international stabilisation force and a potential path to a sovereign Palestinian state.

Unanimous Approval with Notable Abstentions

The proposal was passed by a count of 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining. America's representative the American delegate told the council chamber that it charted “a fresh direction in the region for Israelis and Palestinians and all the inhabitants of the territory alike”.

Balanced Wording on Independence

Addition of references to an independent Palestine was the trade-off the US offered for backing from the Muslim nations, who are likely to contribute stabilisation troops for the multinational unit.

“Provisional steps that we start today must be implemented in adhering to global standards and respecting Palestinian rights,” Britain's representative stated.

Government Opposition Persists

Nonetheless, on the verge of the resolution approval, PM Netanyahu reaffirmed his administration's firm resistance to the creation of a independent Palestinian entity, casting doubt on whether Tel Aviv will allow the implementation of the UN-mandated proposals.

Main Elements of the Resolution

• Prompt removal of ongoing restrictions on relief supplies into the territory
• Formation of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Progress on reconstruction and a possible “route to Palestinian independence and nationhood”

Ambiguous Language and Stipulations

The inclusion to Palestinian statehood was a balanced insertion to an original American proposal which omitted it. However the wording is unclear and conditional, declaring only that once the Palestinian Authority has reformed itself and the rebuilding of the territory is advancing, “the circumstances may finally be in readiness for a credible pathway to Palestinian independence and sovereignty.”

Worldwide Reaction

The phrasing fell far short of the strong guarantee to the creation of a Palestinian state next to Israel requested by Arab countries, as well as EU representatives, but in statements to the council after the decision, delegates from those states said they were ready to support the settlement in the benefit of prolonging the ongoing cessation of hostilities and immediate measures to provide for and safeguard the millions of Palestinians in Gaza.

“We has eventually decided to vote in favour of this resolution, a measure that we support its primary aim, namely the continuation of the cessation of hostilities and the creation of situations enabling the Palestinian people to claim their basic entitlements to sovereignty and sovereignty,” Algeria's representative announced.

Practical Difficulties

This measure provides general supervisory power to a “peace board” headed by the US president, but of unspecified participants. The group has to report to the United Nations but it is not required to follow the preferences of the United Nations or by the PA.

It also calls for the establishment of a expert Palestinian panel that is tasked with overseeing routine management of the territory and the delivery of services, but it is highly uncertain who would participate.

Peacekeeping Unit Mission

The mandate of the ISF authorizes it to disarm and dismantle fighting factions in the territory, but it is far from clear that would-be troop contributors would agree to attempt to confront such groups. No country has yet committed itself to contributing forces.

Furthermore the criteria for changes to the PA, the prerequisite towards progress on independence, have been unclear.

European diplomats said they viewed it as pressing that the members of the specialized group to distribute aid was agreed as without delay.