The United States scored a significant diplomatic victory on Monday as the UN Security Council voted to adopt its resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza. The resolution’s passage authorizes the deployment of an “international stabilization force” (ISF) and establishes a “Board of Peace” to oversee the enclave’s transitional governance. This move is seen as essential for legitimizing the new framework and encouraging nations to contribute troops and resources to the ambitious effort to end the two-year war.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz praised the adoption, telling the council the resolution “charts a possible pathway for Palestinian self-determination” and a future where “rockets will give way to olive branches.” He stressed that the plan “dismantles Hamas’ grip” and allows Gaza to emerge “free from terror’s shadow.” President Trump, who will chair the Board of Peace, echoed this sentiment on social media, calling it “a moment of true Historic proportion” and promising imminent announcements on the board’s membership.
The resolution’s text outlines a clear, albeit challenging, mandate for the ISF: the complete demilitarization of Gaza. This includes decommissioning all weapons and destroying military infrastructure built by militant groups. This security framework is intended to pave the way for the Board of Peace to manage Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery, building on a ceasefire and hostage-release deal agreed to last month.
Despite the US success, the vote was not a unified show of support. Veto-wielding powers Russia and China pointedly abstained, criticizing the resolution’s lack of a defined role for the United Nations. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya warned that the council was blessing a US-led initiative while knowing nothing about the “modalities” of the new force and board, which will have “complete control” over Gaza.
The plan also faces immediate opposition on the ground. Hamas, the group directly targeted by the demilitarization mandate, issued a statement rejecting the resolution as an unacceptable “international guardianship.” The group vowed it “will not disarm,” setting the stage for a potential conflict. Conversely, the Palestinian Authority’s endorsement of the resolution—a move that helped stave off a Russian veto—and Israel’s own controversy over the plan’s mention of “statehood” illustrate the complex and volatile path ahead.