THE UNITED NATIONS, 17 Nov. - (ANA) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, a breakthrough that provides a legal U.N. mandate for the administration’s vision of how to move past the cease-fire and rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip after two years of war.

 

The Council’s vote was also a major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration. 

 

For the past two years, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas has raged, the United States had been isolated at the United Nations over its staunch support for Israel.

 

The U.S. resolution calls for an International Stabilization Force to enter, demilitarize and govern Gaza. The proposal, which contained Mr. Trump’s 20-point cease-fire plan, also envisions a “Board of Peace” to oversee the peace plan, though it does not clarify the composition of the board.

 

The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour and zero votes against. Russia and China, either of which could have vetoed it, abstained, apparently swayed by the support for the resolution from a number of Arab and Muslim nations: Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Indonesia, Turkey and Pakistan, which is a member of the Council.

 

The proposal building on the 20-point US plan is intended to restore security, ensure humanitarian access and begin a sustained process of reconstruction and institutional reform for the enclave following two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

 

A rival draft resolution submitted by Russia is also under formal consideration, but it remains unclear whether the Council will vote on that text this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

The draft would establish an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) working with Israel and Egypt with an initial two-year mandate.

 

Its responsibilities would include securing Gaza’s borders, protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, supporting the training and deployment of a reconstituted Palestinian police force, and overseeing the permanent de-commissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups in the enclave.

 

The text also indicates that Israeli forces would fully withdraw once the force has established security and operational control across the territory.

 

A transitional governance mechanism named the Board of Peace – chaired by President Donald Trump under the US peace plan which underpinned the 8 October ceasefire – would be formed to coordinate security, humanitarian and reconstruction planning.

 

This would guide Gaza towards a reformed Palestinian governing authority. The resolution outlines a pathway towards Palestinian self-determination and eventual statehood, linked to accountable governance and reconstruction milestones.

 

 

 

 

If adopted, the resolution would provide international legal authority for a multinational security mission, seen by potential troop-contributing countries and donors as necessary for deployment. No UN peacekeeping presence is envisaged.

 

It could represent a decisive transition from active conflict to stabilisation and reconstruction, combining security guarantees with reforms to governance and services.

 

The vote also tests the Council’s ability to agree on a post-conflict framework for Gaza at a critical diplomatic moment, amid ongoing humanitarian needs and heightened regional tensions.

 

Washington has reportedly warned that if the Council does not act now, it could lead to renewed infighting and the collapse of the fragile ceasefire.

 

 

 

 

The draft draws on recent international proposals calling for steps towards a ceasefire, release of all hostages, demilitarisation of armed groups, and reconstruction led by reformed Palestinian institutions.

 

Negotiations within the Council have reportedly focused on the governance structure, operational command, sequencing of security tasks and the extent of involvement of the Palestinian Authority.

 

Some members have raised concerns regarding external oversight and clarity over the end state of the mission.

 

 

 

 

• Whether the US resolution secures at least nine affirmative votes without a veto from one of the five permanent members of the council – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US

• Which Member States may commit personnel and equipment for the new force, and on what basis

• Israel’s position on the proposed withdrawal sequencing and governance structure

• The status and future of the Russian draft should only the US text go to a vote

 

 

 

 

• Conditions remain very difficult, with many Gazans struggling to access essentials after heavy rains and flooding affecting more than 13,000 families.

• At least 9,000 tents, 83,000 tarpaulins and 59,000 blankets were distributed, but access limits and item restrictions are slowing scale-up ahead of winter.

• Food delivery volumes have increased, allowing plans to resume two food parcels plus flour per household, after earlier reductions in the north due to access delays.

• Debris teams have cleared 100,000 tonnes, but around 58 million tonnes remain across Gaza, with only half currently accessible.

• More than 5,400 metric tonnes of aid was collected between Thursday and Sunday, including shelter, medical and food items, with the Zikim crossing now reopened after two months.    - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/18 November 2025 - - -