UN Prepares Crucial Vote on U.S. Gaza Ceasefire Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a U.S.-backed resolution to authorize an international stabilization force in Gaza and outline a pathway toward Palestinian statehood. While many countries support the plan, Russia has proposed a competing draft and could use its veto power. The outcome could shape the future of Gaza and broader peace efforts in the region.
UN Gaza Resolution: Quick Looks
- UN Security Council to vote Monday on U.S.-led Gaza resolution.
- Plan supports Trump’s 20-point ceasefire framework and stabilization force through 2027.
- Russia may veto the resolution, offering its own alternative proposal.
- Arab and Muslim-majority nations back U.S. plan, citing need for UN authorization.
- Russia’s draft emphasizes Palestinian statehood under the Palestinian Authority.
- Israel opposes statehood language, with Netanyahu publicly rejecting the concept.
- U.S. revised its proposal to include stronger language on Palestinian self-determination.
- Outcome hinges on whether Russia or China uses veto power in the vote.
Deep Look: UN Security Council Vote on U.S. Gaza Plan Faces Uncertainty Over Russia’s Response
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council is preparing for a pivotal vote Monday on a U.S.-proposed resolution that could set the course for Gaza’s future, authorize an international stabilization force, and possibly pave the way toward Palestinian statehood. Yet with hours remaining before the vote, Russia’s position remains unclear — and its veto could derail the entire effort.
The U.S. resolution, which has been in the works for nearly two weeks, centers around President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which calls for establishing a transitional authority, known as the Board of Peace, to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, demilitarization, and governance until 2027.
International Backing Hinges on UN Approval
Key Arab and Muslim-majority nations — including Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia — have signaled that UN Security Council authorization is critical if they are to contribute troops to the stabilization force. These countries joined the U.S. in issuing a joint statement Friday, expressing support for the plan and urging swift adoption of the resolution.
Several UN diplomats say they are hopeful Russia and China may abstain rather than veto the resolution, in deference to their ties with the nations pushing for peace. But Russia’s decision to submit a competing resolution late Thursday has raised concerns.
Russia Counters with Rival Draft
The Russian proposal removes the reference to the Trump-led Board of Peace and instead calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to outline options for implementing a stabilization force and managing post-war Gaza. It features stronger support for Palestinian statehood, advocating for the West Bank and Gaza to be unified under the Palestinian Authority.
Moscow’s draft, while not explicitly opposing the U.S. resolution, suggests a more active role for the UN and puts emphasis on sovereignty and control, two core principles in Russian foreign policy. In a statement, Russia’s UN mission insisted its proposal “does not contradict the American initiative”, but instead complements it by empowering the UN’s peacekeeping role.
Revised U.S. Resolution Emphasizes Statehood — Carefully
To address criticism that its earlier draft downplayed Palestinian self-determination, the U.S. revised its text. The final draft now suggests that, after reforms to the Palestinian Authority and progress in rebuilding Gaza, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
It also commits the U.S. to establishing dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians, seeking “a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.” While vague, the language reflects a significant shift toward a two-state framework, long favored by the international community.
Israel Pushes Back
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly opposed the inclusion of any references to Palestinian statehood. On Sunday, he reaffirmed his position, declaring that Israel would resist any push for a Palestinian state, which he views as a reward for Hamas and a security threat to Israel.
Israel’s UN delegation has confirmed it will address the Security Council before the vote, though it has not publicly commented on the revised draft.
Tension Over Trump-Led Authority
Central to the U.S. proposal is the creation of a Board of Peace, a transitional governing body for Gaza, to be led by Trump. This unusual element — placing a sitting president at the helm of a UN-endorsed authority — has raised eyebrows among legal scholars and UN diplomats, some of whom worry it politicizes what is typically a neutral international process.
Stakes High for Ceasefire and Long-Term Peace
The vote represents a critical moment for maintaining the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of devastating conflict. The U.S. hopes to leverage broad international support to move beyond the current truce and establish long-term governance and security structures in Gaza.
If Russia or China exercise their veto, the resolution will fail, possibly delaying international deployment and further complicating efforts to stabilize the region. However, if the resolution passes, it could mark the most concrete step yet toward a new post-conflict roadmap for Gaza — and reignite long-stalled talks about Palestinian statehood.
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