UN Security Council Votes Today on Trump-Backed Gaza Stabilization Force

URGENT UPDATE: The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote today at 5 PM (10 PM Irish time) on a controversial US-drafted resolution aimed at deploying an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to Gaza. This initiative is part of Donald Trump’s 20-point plan designed to stabilize the region following a fragile ceasefire established on October 10 between Israel and Hamas.

The revised draft resolution “endorses” Trump’s plan and outlines the formation of the ISF, which will collaborate with Israel and Egypt. It aims to demilitarize Gaza, protect civilians, and secure border areas, including vital humanitarian corridors. The ISF will also oversee the establishment of a “Board of Peace,” a transitional governing body for Gaza, theoretically chaired by Trump until the end of 2027.

The proposal has sparked significant controversy, particularly from Israeli leaders, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejecting any pathway towards Palestinian statehood, stating, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed.”

Notably, Russia has put forth a competing draft that criticizes the US resolution for not sufficiently supporting the two-state solution. Russia’s version does not authorize the ISF or the Board of Peace but requests UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide recommendations on these matters.

The US has intensified efforts to garner support for its resolution, with Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasizing that any rejection would equate to a vote for continued Hamas dominance or renewed conflict with Israel. He stated in a recent op-ed, “Any refusal to back this resolution is a vote either for the continued reign of Hamas terrorists or for the return to war with Israel.”

The US draft has the backing of several Arab and Muslim-majority nations, including Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, indicating a potential pathway for adoption despite ongoing Russian objections. Sources suggest that while Russia and China may abstain from the vote, they are unlikely to veto the resolution, given the support it has garnered.

As the clock ticks down to the critical vote, the international community watches closely, aware that the implications of this decision could shape the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East for years to come.

Stay tuned for live updates as this developing story unfolds.