In a major diplomatic win for President Donald Trump, the UN Security Council overwhelmingly backed his proposal for peace in Gaza on Monday.
The plan, which outlines a roadmap toward a possible future Palestinian state and could bring international forces into the region, passed with 13 votes.
Only Russia and China chose to abstain, and not a single country used its veto.
A Deal Months in the Making
The vote comes after intense behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly made several trips to Egypt, meeting with Hamas and Qatari officials to hammer out the details.
Their work appears to have paid off, helping lock in a fragile ceasefire that began on October 10.
Trump Celebrates a “Historic” Moment
Trump wasted no time celebrating the outcome, posting on Truth Social that the vote would go down “as one of the biggest approvals in the history of the United Nations.”
He described it as a turning point that could spark peace far beyond Gaza.
He also revealed that a new “Board of Peace,” which the resolution acknowledges and which he plans to chair, will soon be introduced along with more announcements in the coming weeks.
The US Pushes for a Vision of Stability
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz called the measure a “bold, pragmatic blueprint” for peace and emphasized the dire situation in Gaza after two years of brutal conflict.
Waltz argued that supporting the plan wasn’t just a political stance—it was a show of shared humanity.
He credited Kushner and Witkoff for helping reach an agreement that has already resulted in a ceasefire and the release of 45 hostages.
Though violence has continued in both Gaza and the West Bank, Waltz insisted the plan charts a path for both Israeli security and Palestinian self-determination.
What Trump’s Plan Actually Includes
Under the proposal, a new International Stabilization Force would be created, working alongside Israel, Egypt, and a newly trained Palestinian police force.
The force would oversee border security and help demilitarize Gaza, with a focus on dismantling armed groups and creating safer conditions for civilians and aid workers.
A key component of the plan is a transitional governing body known as the “Board of Peace,” which Trump would lead until the end of 2027.
The broader ambition: stabilize Gaza, rebuild essential infrastructure, and lay the groundwork for a possible Palestinian state once political reforms and reconstruction are underway.
A Carefully Worded Path Toward Statehood
After several revisions, the final text acknowledges that—if conditions improve—the Palestinian Authority could one day guide Palestinians toward statehood.
This language came after pressure from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, many of whom wanted clearer commitments to a two-state solution.
Countries like France, Slovenia, Guyana, Pakistan, and Somalia were initially hesitant due to vague wording.
But on Monday they backed the measure, saying it would help maintain political momentum and ensure critical humanitarian aid keeps flowing.
Arab Nations Push Resolution Forward
Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates all advocated for the council to pass the resolution.
Their diplomats stressed that any lasting peace must preserve Gaza’s territorial integrity and remain tied to a two-state outcome.
Algeria’s UN ambassador Amar Bendjama, the only Arab representative on the council, reaffirmed that justice for Palestinians—and ultimately a Palestinian state—is essential for real peace.
Israel Pushes Back Against Statehood Language
Israel, meanwhile, continues to reject the idea of a Palestinian state entirely.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that his government opposes Palestinian statehood “in any territory.”
Concerns About Deployment on the Ground
Arab and Muslim-majority nations expected to contribute troops to Gaza—such as Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and the UAE—have expressed concerns about being drawn into fighting with remaining Hamas militants.
They want to avoid appearing as occupiers, which is why they pushed for UN approval before committing forces.
Russia Proposes a Rival Plan
Russia attempted to offer a competing draft, arguing that the US text didn’t go far enough toward ensuring Palestinian statehood.
Moscow’s version removed the Board of Peace and military deployment components, instead asking the UN secretary-general to explore those issues in the future.
Waltz, however, urged council members not to delay, warning that “every day without this force, aid trucks lie idle, children starve and extremists re-group.”
Support Broadens as Peace Efforts Move Forward
Trump’s administration secured support from several Arab and Muslim nations, which released a joint statement endorsing the resolution.
The list included Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey—signaling a rare alignment around a US-led Middle East initiative.
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