On Monday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution backing President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza. However, Hamas swiftly dismissed the plan, largely because it called for the presence of international peacekeeping forces.
The plan was backed with a 13-0 vote, while Russia and China abstained. Notably, Russia had proposed its own 10-point resolution earlier that week, which aimed at establishing a Palestinian state but did not mention an international “stabilization force” for Gaza. Ultimately, Russia chose not to veto Trump’s proposal, maintaining its initial support.
President Trump praised the UNSC for what he described as an “incredible” vote, calling it a “historic moment” in the UN’s history that could foster greater peace worldwide. He shared his thoughts on his Truth Social platform.
He expressed gratitude towards the Security Council members, even acknowledging Russia and China for their abstentions. Moreover, he thanked various donors, including Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Jordan, who, though not part of the committee, supported the initiative.
Trump also mentioned a prospective “peace commission” that would oversee security in Gaza, hinting at more announcements regarding its members in the near future.
The plan optimistically referenced the potential establishment of a Palestinian state, a detail that sparked a political crisis in Israel over the weekend. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t address this aspect in his address. Nevertheless, he did express his belief that the plan could lead to peace through the disarmament and de-radicalization of Gaza.
Netanyahu stated that Trump’s vision could further integrate Israel with its neighboring countries and expand the Abraham Accords, suggesting that Trump’s leadership would guide the region towards enduring peace and a stronger alliance with the U.S.
Conversely, Hamas rejected the resolution, claiming it didn’t meet the political and humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. They criticized the idea of assigning roles in Gaza to international forces, arguing that it would compromise their neutrality and effectively involve them in the conflict.
Additionally, Palestinian groups aligned with Hamas condemned the peace plan, stating it represented a significant collaboration in what they see as a war against their rights.
While some Palestinians echoed Hamas’s rejection of the UNSC resolution, viewing it as a breach of their sovereignty, the Palestinian Authority (PA) welcomed the resolution, calling it an essential initial step toward peace.
The PA emphasized that a ceasefire is crucial before any further steps can be taken. They underscored the need to implement the resolution on the ground to restore normalcy in Gaza.
PA officials indicated plans to cooperate with the U.S., the European Union, Islamic nations, and members of the Security Council, aiming to facilitate reconstruction and safeguard the two-state solution.
