The United Nations Security Council has approved a U.S.-drafted resolution that backs a transitional international force and governing body in Gaza, marking a dramatic new phase in the enclave’s post-conflict reconstruction. Thirteen members voted in favour, while Russia and China abstained.
Under the approved Resolution 2803, a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be deployed in Gaza to oversee security, support demilitarization and facilitate humanitarian access. The force is expected to operate under unified command and coordinate closely with Egypt, Israel, and a newly trained Palestinian police service.
The resolution also establishes a transitional “Board of Peace,” which will serve as a governing body during the recovery period. Remarkably, the board is to be chaired by Donald Trump, whose 20-point peace plan formed the basis of the resolution. The Board’s mandate runs through December 2027, according to the text.
US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described the decision as “historic and constructive,” saying the force will “secure Gaza’s streets, oversee demilitarisation, protect civilians and escort aid through safe corridors.”
He added that the resolution charts a “possible pathway for Palestinian self-determination” — contingent on reforms by the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas denounced the vote, calling it an “imposition of international guardianship.” The group strongly opposes the notion of disarmament, saying that making the ISF responsible for weapons removal “strips it of its neutrality” and risks turning the force into “a party to the conflict, in favour of the occupation.”
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, speaking from Manila, described the resolution as a “critical first step” toward peace, while urging the process to respect Palestinian self-determination and independence in the long run.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, earlier in November, stressed the importance of a UN-backed stabilization force. He underscored that any transition must be backed by a legal mandate and remain consistent with broader UN goals, including a two-state solution and the reunification of Gaza with the West Bank.
Despite approval, key obstacles remain. No countries have yet committed troops to the force, and the precise command structure and rules of engagement are still being negotiated.
Furthermore, humanitarian needs are immense, and Gaza’s leadership must undergo reforms for the Board of Peace to truly gain legitimacy.
