The new UN-backed Gaza peace plan, adopted on Monday, is in the unique and precarious position of having no easy allies, facing opposition from Hamas, key reservations from Israel, and deep skepticism from Russia. The US-drafted resolution, which authorizes an “international stabilization force” (ISF) and a “Board of Peace,” passed only because Russia and China abstained, but it faces a difficult path to implementation.
First, Hamas, the group governing Gaza, has rejected the plan’s core premise. The resolution mandates the ISF to completely demilitarize the enclave. Hamas issued a statement calling this “international guardianship” and vowing it “will not disarm,” setting up a direct conflict.
Second, Israel’s government, while supportive of demilitarization, has rejected the plan’s political endgame. The resolution’s text includes a “pathway to… statehood” for Palestinians. This prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from his right-wing coalition, to publicly state his opposition to a Palestinian state.
Third, the plan lacks global consensus. Russia and China abstained, complaining the plan sidelines the UN. Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya warned the council was ceding “complete control” to the US-led initiative, “the modalities of which we know nothing about.”
The US, which drafted the plan, celebrated the vote. Ambassador Mike Waltz said it “dismantles Hamas’ grip,” and President Trump, who will chair the Board of Peace, called it “historic.” The plan’s only key supporter is the Palestinian Authority, which welcomed the “statehood” language. However, this endorsement, which diplomats said prevented a Russian veto, only serves to highlight the deep divisions between all other parties.
