The United Nations Security Council voted in favour of adopting United States President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
The resolution received a unanimous 13 votes, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining as they complained the resolution doesn’t give a clear role to the UN in the future of Gaza.
"In essence, the council is giving its blessing to a U.S. initiative on the basis of Washington's promises, giving complete control over the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF (international stabilisation force), the modalities of which we know nothing about so far," Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told the council following the vote.
The resolution includes the establishment of a Board of Peace, which will begin a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
Waltz said the ISF “will stabilise the security environment, support the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons and maintain the safety of Palestinian civilians”.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said the peace plan helped chart a new course in the Middle East for Israeli’s and Palestinians.
“Today’s resolution represents another significant step towards a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security,” he said.
This comes after the Israel and Palestinian militant Hamas agreed to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which was a ceasefire in their two-year war and a hostage release deal.
The UN resolution is seen as vital to legitimising a transitional governance body and reassuring countries that are considering sending troops to Gaza.
Hamas reiterated that it will not disarm and said its fight against Israel is a legitimate force, potentially going against the international force authorised by the resolution.
"The resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject," Hamas said in its statement, issued after the adoption of the resolution.
While acknowledging the efforts undertaken by Trump to advance world peace, Algerian ambassador Amar Bendjama stressed that genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without “justice for the Palestinian people who have waited for decades for the establishment of their independent State."
