UNSC Authorizes Temporary Intl Force For Gaza
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday 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.The resolution also welcomes the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP) "as a transitional administration" in Gaza that will coordinate reconstruction efforts.It authorizes the BoP to establish a temporary International Stabilization 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."Thank you for joining us in charting a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike," US Ambassador Mike Waltz said after the vote."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 said the ISF "will stabilize the security environment, support the demilitarization 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."
