- by Peter Farmer
- The Guardian
- Issue #2172
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution that endorses a ‘peace plan’ for Gaza put forward by United States President Donald Trump and a temporary international force in the enclave following two years of war.
Resolution 2803 (2025) received 13 votes in favour, and none against, with permanent members China and Russia abstaining.
The text welcomes the Comprehensive Plan announced by President Trump on 29 September. The first phase of the 20-point plan led to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel days later.
TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION
The resolution also welcomes the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP) “as a transitional administration” in Gaza that will coordinate reconstruction efforts.
It authorises the BoP to establish a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza “to deploy under unified command acceptable to the BoP”.
Countries will contribute personnel to the force “in close consultation and cooperation” with Egypt and Israel.
NEW COURSE
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz called the resolution a “significant step towards a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security.”
He said the ISF “will stabilise the security environment, support the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons and maintain the safety of Palestinian civilians.”
Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama acknowledged the efforts undertaken by President Trump in advancing peace worldwide – but stressed that genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved “without justice for the Palestinian people who have waited for decades for the establishment of their independent State.”
He noted that the text has received the support of Arab and Muslim countries and that “the Palestinian Authority at the highest level has openly welcomed the initiative.”
In explaining Russia’s decision to abstain, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the Council was in essence “giving its blessing to a US initiative on the basis of Washington’s promises,” and “giving complete control over the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF, the modalities of which we know nothing about so far.”
VIOLATIONS
Since the ceasefire was declared, Israel has shot at civilians 88 times, raided residential areas beyond the “yellow line” 12 times, bombed Gaza 124 times, and demolished people’s properties on 52 occasions, according to Al Jazeera. Israel has reportedly killed at least 242 Palestinians and injured 622.
There is no news as yet as to whether or not Australia will join the ‘stabilisation force’, although it has been invited to take part. Australia will send a Defence Force liaison officer to the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Israel.
