UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations approved a plan from the Trump administration on Monday aimed at securing and governing Gaza, marking a significant step in international support for U.S. efforts to promote peace in the region after two years of conflict. The proposal, which received strong backing from the UN Security Council, includes the establishment of an international stabilization force to ensure security in Gaza and a transitional authority overseen by President Donald Trump. It also outlines a potential pathway toward an independent Palestinian state.

Trump celebrated the approval on social media, stating, "This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations, will lead to further Peace all over the World, and is a moment of true Historic proportion!" The resolution endorses Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the fragile ceasefire he helped broker with allies. This vote is seen as a crucial next step in defining Gaza's future following the devastation caused by the Israel-Hamas war, which resulted in significant loss of life and destruction.

The proposal includes the creation of a Board of Peace, which Trump would lead, and grants a broad mandate to the international stabilization force. This force will be responsible for overseeing borders, providing security, and demilitarizing the territory. The authorization for both the board and the force is set to expire at the end of 2027.

Arab and Muslim nations interested in contributing troops to the international force indicated that UN authorization was essential for their participation. Russia abstained from the vote, along with China, amid concerns that it might use its veto power in the Security Council. The vote passed with a 13-0 tally.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz described the resolution as a historic and constructive step, stating, "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 emphasized that this resolution is just the beginning of a longer process.

During negotiations leading up to the vote, Arab nations and Palestinian representatives urged the U.S. to strengthen language regarding Palestinian self-determination. However, the proposal does not provide a specific timeline or guarantee for an independent state. It suggests that such a possibility could arise after progress in Gaza's reconstruction and reforms within the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank. The U.S. revised the resolution to indicate that conditions may eventually be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

The resolution also states that the U.S. will facilitate dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to establish a political framework for peaceful coexistence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to Palestinian statehood, reiterating his stance amid concerns from his hard-line governing partners regarding the resolution's endorsement of a pathway to independence.

Support from Arab and Muslim nations was crucial for the resolution's adoption, as these countries had been instrumental in achieving the ceasefire and may contribute to the international force. A joint statement from several nations, including Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, called for the swift adoption of the U.S. proposal.

The vote comes as hopes rise for the maintenance of Gaza's fragile ceasefire, which followed Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths. Israel's military response has reportedly led to over 69,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but indicates that many victims are women and children.

The U.S. resolution mandates the stabilization force to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza and the decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups. A significant challenge remains in disarming Hamas, which has not fully accepted this requirement. The resolution authorizes the force to use all necessary measures to fulfill its mandate in accordance with international law, which may include military action.

The stabilization troops will work to secure border areas and coordinate with a Palestinian police force that has been trained and vetted. They will also collaborate with neighboring Egypt and Israel to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance. As the international force establishes control and stability, the resolution states that Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza based on agreed standards, milestones, and timelines linked to demilitarization, with input from the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the U.S., and ceasefire guarantors.