The future of Gaza is at a crossroads as the UN Security Council gears up to cast its vote on a groundbreaking U.S. proposal rooted in President Donald Trump's comprehensive strategy for the region. Imagine peace finally taking root in a war-torn area—but here's where it gets controversial: not everyone sees this as a path to harmony.
Picture this scene: At the United Nations headquarters in New York City on November 17, 2025, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, along with fellow diplomats, were captured in a moment of decision, raising their hands in support of a resolution. This pivotal meeting focused on a U.S.-crafted plan to create a UN-backed mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza. The image, taken by Reuters photographer Eduardo Munoz, shows the intensity of the diplomatic efforts unfolding. For licensing rights or more details, check out Reuters Connect here [link].
[1/2] U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz and other ambassadors vote in favor of a resolution during a session of the United Nations Security Council, debating a U.S. initiative for a UN mandate to set up an international stabilization force in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York City... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab (https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/united-nations-security-council-meets-on-us-proposal-for-a-un-mandate-to-establish-an-international-stabilization-force-in-gaza-in-new-york/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjU6bmV3c21sX1JDMk1ZSEEwUDJMMg%3D%3D/?utmmedium=rcom-article-media&utmcampaign=rcom-rcp-lead) Read more
Key Highlights
The proposal empowers a temporary governing body and brings in an international stabilization force.
Russia introduced its own competing resolution as an alternative.
The Palestinian Authority has thrown its support behind the U.S. draft, while Hamas stands firmly against it.
From Washington, D.C., on November 17, the United Nations Security Council is poised to vote later today on a resolution drafted by the United States. This document endorses President Donald Trump's peace initiative for Gaza, known as his 20-point plan, and establishes an international stabilization force for the Palestinian territory. To put this in simple terms for newcomers to the topic, Trump's plan outlines a step-by-step roadmap for ending the long-standing conflict, focusing on rebuilding and security in Gaza after years of turmoil.
Just last month, Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas reached an agreement on the initial steps of this plan: a ceasefire to halt their two-year war and an exchange of hostages. But many experts argue that a UN resolution is essential to give legitimacy to a transitional government and to encourage other nations to contribute troops to Gaza. Without this official stamp, countries might hesitate to get involved, fearing political or security risks.
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The 15-member council has set the vote for 5 p.m. Eastern Time (which is 2200 GMT).
According to the most recent version of the draft, reviewed by Reuters, it invites all UN member states to participate in what's called the Board of Peace—a provisional governing structure tasked with managing the reconstruction and economic revival of Gaza. Additionally, it greenlights the international stabilization force, whose role would be to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza. For those unfamiliar, demilitarization here means the process of removing weapons, dismantling military bases, and ensuring no armed groups can threaten the peace—a crucial step to prevent future conflicts, much like how post-war efforts in other regions have focused on disarming factions to build stability.
Trump's full 20-point plan is attached to the resolution as an annex, providing a detailed blueprint for moving forward.
Russia, wielding a veto power on the Security Council, showed signs of resistance last week by proposing its own resolution that asks the UN to investigate possibilities for an international presence in Gaza, rather than directly approving the U.S. version.
And this is the part most people miss: the resolution gained significant traction when the Palestinian Authority publicly endorsed it on Friday, making passage more likely.
"We anticipate widespread backing for this resolution," commented an anonymous UN diplomat involved in the talks. "Even though Russia has occasionally suggested using its veto, going against a proposal supported by Palestine and regional players would be challenging." This sentiment likely extends to China, another veto holder, according to the diplomat.
Yet, the proposal has stirred debate within Israel, particularly because it alludes to the eventual possibility of Palestinian statehood. The draft states that "conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" after the Palestinian Authority implements reforms and Gaza's reconstruction progresses.
But here's where it gets really heated: Is this a genuine step toward peace, or a veiled attempt to impose foreign control? Opinions are sharply divided. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing pushback from hardliners in his cabinet, declared on Sunday that Israel opposes Palestinian statehood and vowed to demilitarize Gaza "the easy way or the hard way." Meanwhile, Hamas has balked at the idea of disarming entirely. A coalition of Hamas-affiliated Palestinian groups released a statement late Sunday opposing the resolution, labeling it as a perilous move toward foreign domination of the land and accusing it of favoring Israeli priorities.
For beginners trying to grasp the bigger picture, think of this as a high-stakes game of international diplomacy where every vote could reshape the Middle East. The ceasefire and hostage release were hard-won achievements, but implementing Trump's plan requires this UN blessing to bring in global forces for security and rebuilding—potentially including troops from countries like those in the U.S.-led coalition.
Reporting by Simon Lewis; additional reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi; Editing by Bill Berkrot
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What do you think—will this UN resolution pave the way for lasting peace in Gaza, or does it risk escalating tensions by overriding local voices? Is the mention of Palestinian statehood a bold vision or a recipe for more conflict? Do you side with the Palestinian Authority's support or Hamas's fierce opposition? Share your perspective in the comments and let's discuss!
