In a pivotal moment for Middle Eastern diplomacy, the United States has sought the United Nations Security Council’s endorsement of a draft resolution designed to support President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative. With escalating tensions and the potential for significant humanitarian impacts, the call to action emphasizes the urgency for cooperative global governance in addressing the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This endeavor comes amid a contrasting proposal from Russia, showcasing the multifaceted dynamics at play in striving for lasting peace in the region.
The United States has officially called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to support its draft resolution aimed at strengthening President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, warning that Palestinians could face “grave consequences” should the initiative fail. This appeal coincides with Russia’s introduction of a counter-proposal at the UNSC, challenging the U.S. draft in pursuit of a balanced resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A spokesperson from the U.S. mission to the UN stated that any attempts to create division around Washington’s resolution could lead to “grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences” for Palestinians if the fragile ceasefire collapses, allowing hostilities to resume. The U.S. mission circulated its proposed resolution to the 15 UNSC members last week for discussion on the document’s wording and intent.
According to the draft obtained by the AFP news agency, the resolution seeks to authorize a two-year mandate for a transitional governing body in Gaza, termed the “Board of Peace,” which would reportedly be chaired by Trump. Furthermore, it calls for establishing a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) tasked with demilitarization and ensuring the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid corridors in Gaza.
The ISF is expected to collaborate with Israel, Egypt, and a newly trained Palestinian police force to bolster security along Gaza’s borders. Notably, Trump has indicated that he would not deploy U.S. troops to be part of the proposed force, instead aiming for a 20,000-strong international contingent.
Discussions about contributing to the ISF have reportedly included countries such as Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan; however, concerns remain regarding potential direct conflict with Hamas. This iteration of the resolution also brings a renewed focus on the prospect of a future independent Palestinian state, suggesting that “conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” contingent upon necessary reforms by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the resolution’s passage, citing “good progress” in the negotiation of its language. Despite broad support for the proposed “Board of Peace” among UNSC members, significant concerns linger regarding the absence of an oversight mechanism for the board and the future role of the PA, as well as detailed specifications regarding the ISF’s mandate.
In response to the U.S. proposal, Russia introduced its own resolution, aiming to provide a balanced approach to achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities. Under Trump’s announced peace plan, which marked the initiation of negotiations previously stalled by conflict, a ceasefire was reported to have temporarily paused violence that claimed the lives of over 69,179 individuals in Gaza.
In the wake of this fragile truce, even as a limited exchange of captives and humanitarian aid has occurred, violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel have been noted, with daily attacks resulting in additional casualties among Palestinians. The U.S. mission urged the UNSC to unite decisively in support of Washington’s resolution, heralding it as a “historic moment” for paving the way towards lasting peace in the region.
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