Washington [US], November 19: Voices around the world have mostly welcomed the passage of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution backing major provisions of the Gaza peace plan.
The reactions on Tuesday came after the UNSC approved the resolution mandating a transitional administration and an international stabilisation force in Gaza that envisions a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood. There were 13 votes in favour of the resolution and no vetoes. However, Russia and China abstained, explaining later that the plan lacks Palestinian participation and is vague.
The text, which was revised several times as a result of high-stakes negotiations, authorised the 20-point peace plan that opened the way for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to take hold on October 10. It authorises the creation of an international stabilisation force (ISF) that would work with Israel and Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police to help secure border areas and demilitarise the enclave.
It also authorises the formation of a "board of peace," a transitional governing body for Gaza - which Trump would theoretically chair - with a mandate running until the end of 2027.
Most countries around the world welcomed the progress. However, Hamas, which currently governs Gaza but is excluded by the resolution from any governance role, was less enthusiastic.
Hamas
The Palestinian group rejected the resolution, saying it "imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip which our people and their factions reject".
"Assigning the international force with tasks and roles inside the Gaza Strip, including disarming the resistance, strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favour of the [Israeli] occupation," the statement continued.
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a social media statement that the approval of the resolution would lead to "peace and prosperity because it insists upon full demilitarisation, disarmament and the deradicalisation of Gaza".
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority said the resolution affirmed the Palestinian people's "right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state," and the unimpeded flow of aid into Gaza.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs "stressed the urgent need to immediately implement this resolution on the ground" in a way that "ensures the return of normal life, protects our people in the Gaza Strip" and "prevents displacement".
China
China said that it had abstained in the vote because the peace plan due to the ambiguity regarding Palestinian governance of Gaza and the two-state solution. Beijing's UN Envoy Fu Cong said later in a statement that the draft resolution is "vague on many crucial issues," including the scope and structure of the multinational force.
France
France said it voted for the UN resolution to "support the ongoing peace efforts" and meet the "most urgent needs of the population", including the delivery of humanitarian aid and disarmament of Hamas.
Russia
Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said his country abstained from the vote because the plan sidelines Palestinian participation.
The force "would appear to be able to act absolutely autonomously without any regard for the position nor the opinion of Ramallah," he said.
United Kingdom
The UK said it voted for the UN resolution to advance the US plan for Palestinians and Israelis and stressed the urgent need to deploy the multinational force, open all crossings and enable unhindered aid into Gaza. "We must now have urgent action to open all the crossings, lift restrictions and flood Gaza with aid. And we must keep up progress for a two-state solution with peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians side by side," said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
United States
Trump hailed the approval of the resolution as a historic breakthrough, praising those who backed the proposal. "This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations, will lead to further Peace all over the World, and is a moment of true Historic proportion," he wrote on Truth Social. He made no reference to Israel, Hamas or the Palestinians.
Source: Qatar Tribune
