Yesterday, November 17, 2025 the UN Security Council approved a U.S.-backed plan on the future of Gaza in a 13-0 vote yesterday, rallying international backing for a new stabilization force and transitional government in the territory. China and Russia were the only countries that abstained from the vote. Hamas said it rejected parts of the resolution, arguing that the UN tasking an international force with disarming Hamas “turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.” Many countries have been waiting for a UN mandate before committing troops to an international force. Though some expressed reservations about parts of the UN resolution, diplomats told multiple news outlets they supported it in order to maintain momentum behind the current truce.
More details. The resolution lends international legitimacy to much of U.S. Donald Trump’s twenty-point peace plan for Gaza, which helped secure a ceasefire last month. The resolution envisions an international stabilization force that would protect civilians, decommission weapons held by armed groups, and oversee the training of a Palestinian police force. Israeli forces would withdraw once the force establishes control of the territory. Trump wrote on social media that he would chair a board overseeing the transition alongside various world leaders. The resolution says that if the Palestinian Authority undertakes reforms and rebuilding in Gaza advances, conditions “may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
Next steps. The resolution calls for the establishment of a World Bank-backed trust fund for reconstruction of Gaza. Further talks are expected to determine the ground rules and potential composition of the international stabilization force. Indonesia and Azerbaijan have agreed to participate, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz said yesterday. It remains to be seen whether Trump will discuss the plan with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his White House visit today. Saudi Arabia has consulted with Trump about plans for postwar Gaza while Trump seeks Saudi normalization with Israel—something that Riyadh says is dependent on a pathway to a Palestinian state.
On October 9, shortly after Donald Trump launched his surrender-and-recolonization ultimatum, John V. Whitbeck wrote;
“It would be logically, legally and morally incoherent for any of the 158 states which have recognized the State of Palestine — or any other state with any respect for international law — to support the elements of the ‘Trump peace plan’ calling for (i) stripping an occupied people of the ability to offer armed resistance to an illegal occupation, as is their absolute right under international law, (ii) the permanent Israeli occupation of a significant portion of Gaza’s territory and (iii) entrusting the ultimate governing authority in Gaza to a ‘Board of Peace’ comprising Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair and similar moral monsters.
“The implementation of these elements would not only constitute flagrant violations of international law but also constitute an unconscionable reward for genocide, which, unfortunately, does not make the implementation of some or all of them inconceivable.”
One can at least agree with President Trump’s characterization of the Security Council’s vote as “incredible”.
The vote confirms that, in today’s world, right and wrong are irrelevant, international law is irrelevant, all that matters is power and the world’s terrorized governments, if not most of their people, are abjectly subservient to the power of the Israeli/American Empire and even willing to reward genocide in order to appease it and avoid its wrath.
Numerous UN resolutions relating to Palestine which have been consistent with international law and human decency, notably including General Assembly Resolution 194 of 1948 and Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967, have not been respected or realized.
Will this new resolution, which is in flagrant violation of international law and human decency, have a different fate?
Dave DeCamp wrote; “The resolution states that the Security Council welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace, or BoP, which will be headed by President Trump. It describes the BoP as “a transitional administration with international legal personality that will set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan.”
“The UN resolution says that the BoP will remain the authority in Gaza until the Palestinian Authority (PA) “has satisfactorily completed its reform program,” though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the idea of the PA having a role in Gaza, and whether the PA has “reformed” enough to take over in Gaza would likely be up to the US and Israel.”
“The US initially didn’t mention the possibility of a Palestinian state in its draft resolution, but added a vague mention of one in response to feedback from Arab states. The resolution states that a path toward a Palestinian state “may” be possible once the PA makes the unspecified “reforms.” But the Israeli government has been explicit in its opposition to a Palestinian state, and the resolution makes no mention of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israel continues to expand illegal Jewish settlements.”
“The resolution authorizes the BoP’s control of Gaza until December 31, 2027, and leaves open the possibility of the Security Council extending its mandate. Over the next two years, the BoP is tasked with overseeing “a Palestinian technocratic, apolitical committee of competent Palestinians from the Strip,” which will be responsible for “day-to-day operations of Gaza’s civil service and administration.”
“The resolution also authorizes Security Council member states working with the BoP to “establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza to deploy under unified command acceptable to the BoP.” US Central Command has established a military outpost in southern Israel to oversee the ISF, and according to Israeli media reports, the US may build a large base on the Gaza border to house international troops.”
“The resolution also provides no guarantees that Israel would withdraw its troops from Gaza, as it says the IDF will only leave once the ISF is deployed and Israel has agreed that certain “standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization” have been met. Israeli troops currently occupy more than 50% of the Gaza Strip.”
‘The resolution tasks the US-led BoP with overseeing the reconstruction of Gaza, but the US is currently pushing a plan that would allow reconstruction only in the Israeli-occupied side of Gaza, which Arab states fear will lead to a permanent Israeli occupation. The US is also reportedly in contact with Israeli-backed militias and gangs who are operating in IDF-controlled areas and is considering using them to enforce order in Gaza, which would almost certainly lead to inter-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.”