In brief
The United Nations Security Council has backed a resolution endorsing Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which calls for the establishment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). The resolution was supported by 13 countries, with only Russia and China abstaining. The plan has faced rejection from Hamas, citing it undermines Palestinian rights. This move comes amidst ongoing tensions following violent clashes since early October, which have resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
The UN Security Council has voted in favour of a US-drafted resolution, which endorses Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. Included in the plan is the establishment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), which the US says multiple unnamed countries have offered to contribute to.The resolution was backed by 13 countries - including the UK, France and Somalia - with none voting against the proposal. Russia and China abstained. Hamas has rejected the resolution, saying it fails to meet Palestinians' rights and demands.The plan imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject, the group stated on Telegram. According to reports on the latest draft, part of the ISF's role would include working on the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups - including Hamas - as well as protecting civilians and humanitarian aid routes. This would require Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the UK, to surrender its weapons as part of Trump's peace initiative.In addition to authorising an ISF, the draft calls for the creation of a newly trained Palestinian police force in Gaza. Previously, police operations have been under the authority of Hamas.Mike Waltz, the US's ambassador to the UN, stated that the ISF would be tasked with securing the area, supporting Gaza's demilitarization, dismantling terrorist infrastructure, removing weapons, and ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians.The initial phase of the plan - a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the handover of hostages and detainees - began on 10 October. Waltz described this as a fragile, fragile first step.The ISF is a central part of Trump's plan which also proposes establishing a Board of Peace, expected to be headed by the US president.Reconstruction funding for Gaza, following two years of conflict, would be sourced from a World Bank-backed trust fund. The draft also introduces the possibility of a Palestinian state, a contentious issue for Israel, included under pressure from key Arab states.The peace plan aims to de-escalate tensions that escalated after Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and 251 hostages taken from Israel. In contrast, estimates indicate that over 69,483 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli military operations in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
