IRIA News

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The UN Security Council approved a U.S.-drafted resolution establishing a transitional administration and deploying a temporary international stabilization force in Gaza. The move marks the most significant diplomatic step since the October ceasefire and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.

The resolution, adopted with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia, authorizes two new bodies: a transitional Board of Peace and an International Stabilization Force that will manage Gaza’s civil administration and security until at least December 31, 2027.

The vote comes after two years of conflict. Multiple ceasefire attempts failed before the current truce, based on a U.S. plan, was implemented in October 2025. Aid agencies say conditions remain severe, with most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced and humanitarian access heavily restricted.

According to several sources, at least 69,500 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 wounded since 2023. International monitors report frequent violations of the October ceasefire and significant obstacles to the delivery of essential supplies.

US Plan for Transitional Governance

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, described the plan as a “pragmatic blueprint” aimed at creating a structured transition out of conflict. The Board of Peace will serve as the primary governing authority during the interim period and will work alongside a Palestinian technocratic committee responsible for day-to-day administration.

The resolution notes that President Donald Trump will chair the Board of Peace. In a statement, Trump said the UN decision “acknowledged and endorsed the Board of Peace” and praised the initiative as a major step toward stabilizing Gaza.

The transitional structure is intended to remain in place until the end of 2027, after which administrative authority may be transferred to a reformed Palestinian Authority. The resolution links any handover to the “faithful” implementation of a PA reform program.

International Stabilization Force

The resolution also authorizes the International Stabilization Force, described as a peacekeeping-style mission expected to include personnel from several Muslim-majority countries, including Indonesia and Azerbaijan. The force will be responsible for securing the territory, dismantling armed infrastructure, escorting aid, and supporting efforts to demilitarize Gaza.

Israel has repeatedly insisted on full disarmament of Hamas as a condition for any long-term arrangement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the resolution ensured that “Gaza will be demilitarized.” President Isaac Herzog called the vote an “incredible moment in world politics.”

China and Russia Abstain

Russia and China abstained, citing concerns about sovereignty, clarity, and long-term political implications. Russia’s envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, said the plan lacked details on the eventual return of authority to Palestinians and compared aspects of the proposal to the “colonial practices” of the Mandate era.

China’s representative, Fu Cong, argued that the plan did not adequately guarantee Palestinian ownership of the process, saying “Palestine is barely visible in it.” Both countries warned that the arrangement must not undermine prospects for a two-state solution.

The resolution includes a reference to Palestinian statehood but offers no timeline, stating only that conditions “may” eventually permit a pathway toward self-determination.

International Reactions

Countries and political actors responded differently to the Security Council’s approval of the Gaza plan. Many governments welcomed the resolution as a step toward stabilization, while others raised concerns about Palestinian participation and the long-term political framework.

Israel described the vote as a path toward “peace and prosperity,” saying the plan’s emphasis on demilitarization and deradicalization aligns with its security goals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the decision would support regional integration and expand the Abraham Accords.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed references to self-determination and called for immediate implementation, stressing the need for full withdrawal of Israeli forces and unimpeded aid. It urged that the plan be implemented in a manner that protects residents, supports reconstruction, and preserves prospects for a two-state solution.

China said it abstained due to ambiguity surrounding governance arrangements and the scope of the stabilization force. Beijing’s envoy criticized the draft as “vague on many crucial issues.”

France said it supported the resolution to advance peace efforts, ensure humanitarian access, and address security concerns, including disarmament of armed groups.

Russia also abstained, arguing that the plan sidelines Palestinian involvement and risks separating Gaza from the West Bank. Moscow warned that the structure of the force could resemble “colonial practices.”

The United Kingdom supported the resolution and called for the urgent deployment of the multinational force, the opening of all crossings, and unrestricted humanitarian access.

The United States welcomed the approval, with President Donald Trump calling it a historic breakthrough and praising countries that backed the plan.

Indonesia supported the resolution, stressing that sustainable peace requires the involvement of all parties and a clear mandate for peacekeeping forces. Jakarta reiterated its willingness to contribute personnel to the international mission.

Gaza response

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahinhas described the UN security council resolution as a necessary “first step in a long road towards peace,” adding “That step was needed because we could not embark on anything else before we had a ceasefire.”

However, Hamas rejected the resolution, calling it an attempt to impose “international guardianship” over Gaza and arguing that granting the stabilization force disarmament responsibilities makes it a party to the conflict. While many Palestinians expressed cautious hope, but deep skepticism.

Implementation challenges remain significant, including the sequencing of the stabilization force’s deployment, the Israeli military’s withdrawal, and the structure of the PA reform process. Waltz warned ahead of the vote that “a vote against this resolution is a vote to return to war.”

The plan now moves into the operational phase, with international actors preparing for one of the most complex stabilization and reconstruction efforts attempted in the region in decades.