UN greenlights Washington’s Gaza peace proposal as Russia, China abstain

The UN Security Council has approved the US-drafted resolution outlining Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Gaza Strip, with 13 of 15 member states voting in favour and Russia and China abstaining.

The document authorises the formation of international forces to ensure security in Gaza, as well as the creation of a “Council of Peace.” The latter is expected to be chaired by US President Donald Trump himself, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNN.

Against this backdrop, the US president Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the move would stand as one of the most significant decisions in UN history, strengthen global peace and become a truly historic milestone, expressing gratitude to the United Nations and all members of the Security Council.

“Congratulations to the World on the incredible Vote of the United Nations Security Council, just moments ago, acknowledging and endorsing the BOARD OF PEACE, which will be chaired by me, and include the most powerful and respected Leaders throughout the World,” the American leader noted, adding that the members of the Board, along with several other announcements, will be introduced in the coming weeks.

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, called the US-proposed resolution “another pig in a poke.”

In his view, the UN has given its “blessing” to an American initiative on Washington’s parole, effectively “handing over the Gaza Strip to the Council of Peace and the International Stabilization Forces, whose modalities remain unknown.”

The resolution aims to bolster the international legitimacy of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, parts of which shaped the ceasefire that came into effect in the Gaza Strip last month. Washington had pushed vigorously for its adoption, and Trump later praised the move in a lengthy social-media post.

According to some diplomatic sources, the resolution will also provide the necessary authority for countries to join the ISF, as the mission will now operate under UN endorsement.

US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz said on November 17 that the ISF, “a strong coalition of peacekeepers, many from Muslim majority nations like Indonesia, Azerbaijan and others,” will deploy to Gaza “under a unified command” in order to “secure Gaza streets … oversee demilitarization … protect civilians and … escort aid through safe corridors.”

The resolution states that the Board of Peace will oversee the disarmament of Hamas and other factions – a key Israeli demand – and the reconstruction of Gaza.

It also includes a reference to eventual Palestinian statehood, though without specifying any timeline.

Hamas, for its part, rejected the UN Security Council resolution, arguing that the organisation has handed control of the enclave to international forces and that the document does not meet the rights or demands of the Palestinian people.

By Jeyhun Aghazada