The Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applauded U. S. President Donald Trump’s leadership after the U. N. Security Council voted to endorse his Gaza peace plan, and said Trump would “help lead the region to peace and prosperity” in a new statement released Tuesday. But, with Hamas still yet to return all of the hostage bodies as agreed under the peace plan, Israel also warned: “In cooperation with the United States and other countries signed on President Trump’s plan, we expect to receive all of the deceased hostages with no delay.” And, the statement posted to X added, to “begin the process of disarming and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and ending Hamas’ rule over Gaza” per statements by Trump and U. S. Ambassador to the U. N. Mike Waltz. The U. N. Security Council approved the U. S. plan for Gaza 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining after Moscow declined to use its veto on a measure it had initially opposed while circulating a rival proposal. “We believe that President Trump‘s plan will lead to peace and prosperity because it insists upon full demilitarization, disarmament and the deradicalization of Gaza,” the statement from Netanyahu’s office said. “True to President Trump’s vision, this will lead to further integration of Israel and its neighbors as well as expansion of Abraham Accords. President Trump’s breakthrough leadership will help lead the region to peace and prosperity and a lasting alliance with the United States.” Why It Matters The vote marks a critical step in reinforcing a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and comes as several Arab and Muslim nations consider contributing troops to help secure Gaza. Many governments had made clear they would only participate with Security Council authorization in place. The resolution formally endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire blueprint, which calls for a new transitional “Board of Peace” headed by Trump and empowers a multinational stabilization force to oversee Gaza’s borders, provide security and guide the territory’s demilitarization. Both the board and the force are authorized through the end of 2027. What To Know Winning approval required significant revisions, particularly stronger language on Palestinian self-determination demanded by Arab states and the Palestinian leadership. The final text says that after the Palestinian Authority enacts reforms and Gaza’s reconstruction advances, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” It also commits the United States to establishing a dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians on “a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.” The phrasing drew sharp criticism from Israeli Netanyahu, who has vowed to oppose any move toward a Palestinian state. Support from Arab and Muslim nations proved decisive, with Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey joining the United States last week in urging “swift adoption” of the proposal. Their backing is especially critical because several of those governments are weighing participation in the international force. The vote comes amid hopes that Gaza’s tenuous ceasefire can hold following more than two years of war after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1, 200 people in southern Israel. Israel’s military campaign has since killed more than 69, 000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Russia had floated a competing plan last week with more forceful support for Palestinian statehood and without references to the transitional board, instead asking the U. N. secretary-general to outline options for a security force. The U. S. plan ultimately moved ahead with provisions allowing the stabilization force to “use all necessary measures” U. N. language permitting military force to demilitarize Gaza and dismantle armed groups. The force will also help secure border areas alongside a vetted Palestinian police contingent and coordinate humanitarian aid. What People Are Saying On Tuesday, Netanyahu’s office said on X: “Israel extends its hand in peace and prosperity to all of our neighbors and calls on them to normalize relations with Israel and join us in expelling Hamas and its supporters from the region.” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday night, “Congratulations to the World on the incredible Vote of the United Nations Security Council, just moments ago, acknowledging and endorsing the BOARD OF PEACE, which will be chaired by me, and include the most powerful and respected Leaders throughout the World. 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! Thank you to the United Nations, and all of the Countries on the U. N. Security Council, China, Russia, France, The United Kingdom, Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, South Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. Also thank you to those Countries that weren’t on this Committee, but strongly backed the effort, including Qatar, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkiye, and Jordan. The members of the Board, and many more exciting announcements, will be made in the coming weeks” U. S. Ambassador Mike Waltz called the resolution “historic and constructive,” saying it sets “a new course in the Middle East” and provides the foundation for a more stable Gaza, while noting “this is just the beginning.” The plan says, “The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.” What Happens Next Under the resolution, Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza as stability improves, following standards and timelines tied to demilitarization and agreed upon by Israel, the stabilization force, the United States and other ceasefire guarantors. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
https://www.newsweek.com/israel-trump-gaza-peace-plan-un-news-11063613
