The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that endorsed a peace plan for Gaza put forward by President Donald Trump and a temporary international force in the enclave following two years of war.
Resolution 2803 (2025) received 13 votes in favour and none against, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining.
The text of the resolution welcomed the ‘Comprehensive Plan’ announced by Mr Trump on September 29. The first phase of the 20-point plan resulted in a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel a few days later.
The resolution also welcomed the establishment of a board of peace “as a transitional administration” in Gaza that will coordinate reconstruction efforts.
It authorised the BoP to establish a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza “to deploy under unified command acceptable to the BoP”.
Countries will contribute personnel to the force “in close consultation and cooperation” with Egypt and Israel.
U.S. ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, after the vote said, “Thank you for joining us in charting a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike. 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 the ISF “will stabilise the security environment, support the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons and maintain the safety of Palestinian civilians”.
Algerian ambassador Amar Bendjama acknowledged the efforts undertaken by Mr Trump in advancing peace worldwide.
Mr Bendjama, however, 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”.
He noted that the text has received the support of Arab and Muslim countries and that “the Palestinian Authority at the highest level has openly welcomed the initiative”.
In explaining Russia’s decision to abstain, Vasily Nebenzya said the council was in essence “giving its blessing to a U.S. initiative on the basis of Washington’s promises”.
The Russian ambassador added that the council was “giving complete control over the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF, the modalities of which we know nothing about so far.”
(NAN)
