UNITED NATIONS, Nov 6 (Reuters): The United Nations Security Council will begin negotiations Thursday on a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and authorizing a two-year mandate for a transitional governance body and international stabilization force.
Washington pushes new Gaza plan
A senior U.S. government official said the draft resolution — circulated late Wednesday among the 15 Security Council members — has received regional backing from Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
“The message is: if the region is with us, the council should be as well,” the U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
To pass, a Security Council resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, or Britain.
Vote expected within weeks
“The sooner we move, the better. We’re looking at weeks, not months,” the official said, adding that Washington does not expect Russia or China to block the proposal. “This is probably the most promising plan for peace in a generation,” the official said.
According to the draft text seen by Reuters, the measure would authorize the creation of a Board of Peace transitional administration to oversee a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The ISF would be empowered to “use all necessary measures” — diplomatic language allowing the use of force — to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and secure borders with Israel and Egypt in coordination with a newly trained Palestinian police force.
Mandate to disarm armed groups
The ISF’s mandate includes demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, dismantling militant infrastructure, and decommissioning weapons from non-state armed groups, including Hamas.
The U.S. official said Hamas is expected to comply with the peace agreement and surrender its weapons, though the group has not confirmed it will do so. “The ISF will have authority to disarm Hamas if necessary,” the official said.
Troop contributions under discussion
The force is expected to consist of around 20,000 personnel. While the United States has ruled out sending troops, it is in talks with Indonesia, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan to contribute forces.
“We’ve been in steady contact with potential contributors about what they need in terms of a mandate,” the official said. “Almost all of them prefer a U.N.-authorized mission.”
Israel has previously said it would not accept Turkish armed forces in Gaza. The U.S. official noted that consultations with Israel are ongoing.
Fragile ceasefire and urgency
Israel and Hamas agreed last month to the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which includes a ceasefire and a hostage release arrangement. The plan is annexed to the draft U.N. resolution.
“Time is not on our side. The ceasefire is holding but fragile,” the U.S. official said. “We can’t get bogged down in wordsmithing at the council. This is a real test for the United Nations.”
This news was originally published by Reuters.