UN Council Backs Trump's Gaza Peace Plan

A global body has voted to endorse measures presented by Donald Trump for establishing a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, including the deployment of an global peacekeeping force and a potential route to a independent Palestine.

Unanimous Support with Key Abstentions

This measure was adopted by a count of 13-0, with both China and Russia choosing not to vote. Washington's diplomat the American delegate told the UN assembly that it charted “a different path in the area for the conflicting parties and all the inhabitants of the territory alike”.

Balanced Phrasing on Independence

The inclusion of allusions to an sovereign Palestinian state was the price the America paid for endorsement from the Arab states, who are expected to provide peacekeepers for the international stabilisation force (ISF).

“The transitional arrangements that we begin today must be implemented in following international law and respecting Palestinian sovereignty,” James Kariuki declared.

Israeli Resistance Remains

However, on the verge of the resolution approval, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government’s strong objection to the formation of a independent Palestinian entity, raising questions on whether the Israeli government will allow the implementation of the UN-mandated proposals.

Key Provisions of the Resolution

• Swift elimination of ongoing restrictions on assistance into the territory
• Establishment of an multinational peacekeeping unit
• Moves towards restoration and a potential “route to Palestinian sovereignty and nationhood”

Unclear Phrasing and Stipulations

The mention to sovereignty was a negotiated inclusion to an initial US draft which omitted it. Yet the language is ambiguous and dependent, declaring only that once the PA has reformed itself and the reconstruction of Gaza is progressing, “the circumstances may ultimately be in readiness for a realistic route to Palestinian independence and sovereignty.”

Worldwide Feedback

The phrasing fell far short of the firm commitment to the building of a sovereign Palestine next to Israel requested by Arab and Islamic states, as well as EU representatives, but in addresses to the council after the approval, envoys from those countries said they were ready to support the settlement in the service of extending the current truce and prompt actions to assist and secure the millions of Palestinian people in Gaza.

“We has ultimately decided to endorse of this text, a text that we back its main goal, namely the continuation of the ceasefire and the formation of conditions permitting the Palestinians to exercise their basic entitlements to independence and statehood,” Amar Bendjama announced.

Practical Difficulties

The proposal grants general supervisory power to a “stabilisation committee” chaired by Trump, but of undefined composition. This committee has to update the UN but it is not required to follow the preferences of the United Nations or by the Palestinian Authority.

Additionally, it requires the establishment of a specialized Palestinian group that is supposed to run daily administration of the Gaza and the distribution of aid, but it is far from clear who would participate.

Stabilisation Team Authority

The mission of the global force authorizes it to remove and dissolve fighting factions in the strip, but it is highly uncertain that would-be troop contributors would consent to confront such factions. None of the states has yet committed itself to contributing forces.

Additionally the standards for modification of Palestinian leadership, the prerequisite towards steps to Palestinian statehood, have been vague.

European officials said they deemed it necessary that the names of the Palestinian technocratic committee to provide utilities was settled as promptly.