The UN Security Council on Monday, November 17, passed a US-drafted resolution intended to move beyond the current fragile truce in Gaza toward a more sustainable peace and the eventual reconstruction of the devastated enclave.The resolution received a strong majority, with the 15-member council voting 13 to 0 in favor. Both Russia and China, while abstaining, declined to use their veto power to block the measure. This vote adds international legitimacy to the 20-point Gaza plan put forth by US President Donald Trump, parts of which formed the basis of the ceasefire that took effect last month.Trump praised the resolution's passage on social media, highlighting the establishment of the new transitional authority: Congratulations to the World on the incredible Vote of the United Nations Security Council, just moments ago, acknowledging and endorsing the BOARD OF PEACE," he wrote. The resolution authorizes the establishment of two main transitional entities, scheduled to be in place until the end of 2027. The first entity is The Board of Peace, which is intended to serve as the transitional authority. Its responsibilities include overseeing the disarmament of Hamas and other factionsa key Israeli demandand managing the reconstruction of Gaza.The second is the International Stabilization Force (ISF). This temporary peacekeeping coalition is set to deploy to Gaza "under a unified command." US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz stated that the ISF's mission is to secure Gaza streets, oversee demilitarization, protect civilians, and escort aid through safe corridors.US officials publicly acknowledged the necessity of an international mandate to support the plan, and the resolution provides the necessary UN backing for countries to participate in the ISF. Waltz underscored the gravity of the vote, warning that "a vote against this resolution is a vote to return to war."While the final composition of the International Stabilization Force is still being determined, the resolution allows for forces contributed by participating states to deploy in close consultation and cooperation with Egypt and Israel.The United States has been in discussions with several countries regarding troop contributions, particularly those from Muslim-majority nations.Countries that have been reportedly approached or have expressed interest in contributing personnel include Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt. Indonesia, for example, has publicly stated that it has trained up to 20,000 troops for health and construction tasks as part of a potential peacekeeping operation.The goal is for a strong coalition of peacekeepers, many from Muslim-majority nations, to secure the area and protect humanitarian efforts. However, the exact make-up remains a delicate subject, with concerns raised about the inclusion of some states due to their past political relations with Israel. Despite its passage, the resolution faces significant scrutiny, primarily due to its perceived vagueness on sequencing and detail, which Western diplomatic sources believe will complicate its implementation. One major concern is the Vague Transition Timeline. The resolution lacks a clear schedule for the transitional authorities to hand over power to the Palestinian Authority (PA), stating only that this will happen once the PA "has satisfactorily completed its reform program."While the resolution references Palestinian Statehood, it provides no definitive timeline, saying the conditions for a credible pathway will only be in place after PA reform is carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced.Furthermore, Hamas rejected the draft resolution before the vote, viewing it as "an attempt to impose international guardianship over Gaza and promote a vision biased toward the occupation." Following the vote, Hamas argued that giving any stabilization force roles that include disarming the resistance "strips it of its neutrality and turns it into a party to the conflict." The two abstaining members of the Security Council also voiced concerns. Russia's representative expressed concern that the resolution could become a death knell for the two state solution," while China's representative argued that "the Palestinian sovereignty and ownership are not fully reflected." The resolution does call on UN member states and international organizations to contribute personnel, equipment, and financial resources to the Board of Peace and the ISF. In the meantime, Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his position that Gaza will be demilitarized, and Hamas will be disarmed either the easy way or the hard way.
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