UN Security Council to Address Gaza Ceasefire and West Bank Expansion
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a significant meeting on Wednesday focused on the delicate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel’s ongoing expansion in the West Bank. This comes as attention shifts towards President Donald Trump’s first meeting of the newly established peace commission.
Initially planned for Thursday, the meeting was rescheduled after Trump announced that the peace commission would convene on the same day. This overlap created scheduling conflicts for diplomats hoping to attend both events.
Foreign ministers from the UK, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia confirmed their participation in the monthly Middle East session of the 15-member Security Council.
Recently, some Arab-Muslim nations called for a discussion about the situation in Gaza, along with concerns about Israeli settlement expansions in the West Bank, especially before several leaders head to Washington.
According to reports, Trump’s envoy has warned Hamas to expect “serious consequences” as the administration rolls out the second phase of its Gaza peace initiative.
On Monday, Trump revealed that members of the new Peace Commission have committed over $5 billion towards humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Additionally, participating nations are sending thousands of personnel to help with international stabilization forces and local policing operations designed to maintain security in the area.
During the announcement, Trump emphasized that Hamas must fulfill its obligation for immediate demilitarization, portraying this effort as part of a larger goal for regional stability.
Israel officially joined the peace commission on February 11, just ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump at the White House. Notably, Netanyahu did not attend the founding event in Davos at the end of January, where leaders from 17 countries, including key figures from various regions, signed the charter with Trump.
Initially, Netanyahu expressed concerns about the composition of the Gaza Executive Committee, particularly regarding the roles of Qatar and Turkey, yet later agreed to take part in the initiative.
The White House extended invitations to various countries, including Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, Vietnam, Finland, Ukraine, Ireland, Greece, and China, although Poland and Italy have decided not to participate in the Council.
