United Nations Council Backs the US Gaza Peace Plan

A Security Council has voted to endorse proposals put forward by the US president for securing a durable ceasefire in Gaza, featuring the deployment of an global peacekeeping force and a possible route to a independent Palestine.

Unanimous Support with Notable Absent Votes

The proposal was approved by a vote of thirteen in favor, with Russia and China abstaining. 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 people of the region alike”.

Balanced Phrasing on Independence

Incorporation of references to an sovereign Palestinian state was the trade-off the America agreed to for support from the Arab and Islamic world, who are likely to supply peacekeepers for the multinational unit.

“Provisional steps that we start today must be carried out in following international law and honoring Palestinian sovereignty,” the UK chargé d’affaires affirmed.

Government Resistance Continues

Nevertheless, on the eve of the resolution approval, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu reiterated his cabinet's strong objection to the establishment of a sovereign Palestine, raising questions on whether the Israeli government will accept the implementation of the Council-backed plan.

Main Elements of the Resolution

• Immediate lifting of ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid into the territory
• Creation of an global security force
• Moves towards reconstruction and a possible “route to Palestinian independence and nationhood”

Ambiguous Language and Stipulations

The reference to Palestinian statehood was a balanced insertion to an initial US draft which omitted it. However the phrasing is ambiguous and conditional, stating only that once the Palestinian leadership has reformed itself and the restoration of the strip is progressing, “the situation may eventually be in place for a realistic route to Palestinian sovereignty and nationhood.”

Global Response

The wording was insufficient of the firm commitment to the creation of a sovereign Palestine beside Israel sought by Arab countries, as well as European council members, but in speeches to the council after the approval, representatives from those nations said they were willing to endorse the compromise in the service of continuing the present ceasefire and prompt actions to feed and protect the 2.2 million Palestinian residents in the territory.

“We has ultimately decided to endorse of this text, a measure that we approve its core objective, namely the continuation of the cessation of hostilities and the formation of situations enabling the Palestinian people to claim their fundamental rights to sovereignty and sovereignty,” Algeria's representative announced.

Execution Hurdles

The resolution gives comprehensive monitoring control to a “stabilisation committee” headed by Trump, but of undefined composition. This committee has to report to the UN but it is not required to follow the desires of the United Nations or by the Palestinian Authority.

Additionally, it requires the creation of a expert Palestinian panel that is expected to manage day-to-day governance of the Gaza and the distribution of aid, but it is far from clear who would take part.

Security Force Authority

The authority of the ISF authorizes it to neutralize and disband militant organizations in the territory, but it is far from clear that possible sending countries would consent to engage such groups. No country has to date committed itself to contributing forces.

Additionally the requirements for reform of the Palestinian Authority, the requirement towards progress on independence, have been vague.

EU representatives said they viewed it as pressing that the identities of the Palestinian technocratic committee to distribute aid was agreed as without delay.