UN Security Council Endorses the US Gaza Strip Peace Plan

A Security Council has approved a plan advanced by Donald Trump for securing a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, including the stationing of an global peacekeeping force and a potential avenue to a Palestinian statehood.

Broad Backing with Key Absent Votes

The resolution was adopted by a count of thirteen in favor, with both China and Russia declining to cast votes. Washington's diplomat the American delegate addressed the UN assembly that it mapped “a new course in the area for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the area alike”.

Negotiated Language on Palestinian Statehood

Incorporation of mentions to an self-governing Palestine was the trade-off the United States agreed to for backing from the Arab and Islamic world, who are likely to supply peacekeepers for the multinational unit.

“Interim measures that we embark on today must be executed in following international law and upholding Palestinian sovereignty,” the UK chargé d’affaires stated.

Netanyahu's Resistance Remains

However, on the verge of the UN vote, leader the Israeli leader restated his government’s firm resistance to the establishment of a Palestinian state, creating uncertainty on whether the Israeli government will permit the execution of the Council-backed plan.

Key Provisions of the Resolution

• Swift elimination of existing limitations on relief supplies into the territory
• Establishment of an global security force
• Progress on rebuilding and a potential “avenue to Palestinian independence and sovereignty”

Vague Wording and Requirements

The mention to sovereignty was a balanced insertion to an first US version which omitted it. Yet the language is ambiguous and contingent, stating only that once the Palestinian Authority has reformed itself and the rebuilding of Gaza is under way, “the circumstances may ultimately be in position for a realistic route to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

International Response

The language fell far short of the firm commitment to the creation of a sovereign Palestine alongside Israel requested by Arab and Islamic states, as well as EU representatives, but in speeches to the chamber after the approval, delegates from those states said they were ready to support the compromise in the interests of extending the present ceasefire and immediate measures to provide for and safeguard the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza.

“Algeria has ultimately decided to support of this text, a resolution that we approve its main goal, namely the continuation of the cessation of hostilities and the formation of situations allowing the Palestinian people to exercise their immeasurable rights to self-determination and sovereignty,” Algeria's representative announced.

Practical Difficulties

This measure provides comprehensive monitoring control to a “stabilisation committee” headed by Donald Trump, but of uncertain membership. The board has to update the international body but it is not bound by the preferences of the United Nations or by the PA.

Furthermore, it demands the establishment of a expert Palestinian panel that is expected to manage routine management of the territory and the provision of utilities, but it is quite ambiguous who would be involved.

Peacekeeping Unit Mandate

The mission of the global force empowers it to remove and dissolve militant organizations in the strip, but it is quite ambiguous that would-be troop contributors would agree to attempt to face such groups. No country has yet agreed to sending peacekeepers.

Furthermore the requirements for modification of Palestinian leadership, the precondition towards steps to Palestinian statehood, have been hazy.

European diplomats said they viewed it as pressing that the identities of the expert panel to provide utilities was determined as quickly as possible.