November 18, 2025

UN Endorses Trump’s Gaza Peace Blueprint Amid Divided Reactions

 

The United Nations Security Council on Monday endorsed President Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, paving the way for a shift from the fragile ceasefire in the enclave to an ambitious long-term political settlement and reconstruction programme.

In a 13–0 vote, the 15-member council adopted the resolution, while Russia and China abstained, declining to use their veto powers.

The approval confers international backing on Trump’s 20-point framework, elements of which laid the foundation for the ceasefire currently holding in Gaza.

Trump, in a message posted on social media, described the vote as “an incredible milestone” and revealed that the “Board of Peace”—a transitional authority created under the resolution—would be chaired by him. He said full membership of the board would be disclosed in the coming weeks.

Under the resolution, an International Stabilization Force (ISF) is to be deployed in Gaza with a unified command structure. The force will safeguard civilians, secure the territory, facilitate humanitarian operations and oversee the demilitarisation of armed groups.

US Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, disclosed that the ISF would comprise troops from a coalition of nations, including several Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia and Azerbaijan. He warned that opposing the resolution would amount to “a vote to return to war.”

Key provisions of the plan include the disarmament of Hamas and other militant factions, supervised reconstruction of Gaza and support for a technocratic Palestinian committee to administer civil affairs during reforms of the Palestinian Authority (PA). It also outlines a future pathway to Palestinian statehood once reforms and redevelopment reach set benchmarks.

Despite the breakthrough, analysts note that the resolution leaves gaps in timelines and implementation strategies, raising concerns over enforceability.

Hamas swiftly rejected the decision, describing it as an attempt to impose external control on Gaza while favouring Israel. The group said the ISF’s internal authority undermines its neutrality.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated on Sunday that Hamas would be disarmed “either the easy way or the hard way.”

The coming weeks will determine how swiftly—and effectively—the ambitious plan can be translated from UN approval to action on the ground.