New York, Nov 18, (dpa/GNA) – The UN Security Council on Monday, adopted a resolution, backing US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
Thirteen members voted in New York in favour of the US proposal, which also provides for an international force to help stabilize the ceasefire. Russia and China abstained.
The Group of Seven (G7) leading democracies had recently pushed for a Security Council mandate, to ensure swift implementation of the plan.
In a second phase, the plan envisages the disarmament of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the deployment of an international stabilization force and the establishment of a transitional administration of Palestinian technocrats.
Several issues remain disputed, including the disarmament of Hamas, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the future of the Gaza Strip.
Israel had voiced criticism ahead of the vote over the resolution’s reference to “a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
The move marks a rare breakthrough for the council, which has often been deeply divided on the issue in recent years, and signals that the Middle East peace process is receiving broader international support.
The United States had pushed hard for the resolution’s passage, which still came as a surprise to many observers.
In the run-up to the vote, it had long appeared that the resolution might fail. Russia and China – both veto powers on the council, had signalled their dissatisfaction, and Russia even circulated its own draft resolution, which ultimately did not go to a vote.
GNA