The United Nations Security Council has endorsed a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, authorizing a temporary international force to help stabilize the enclave after two years of war.
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There’s a lot of world news today that involves the United States. Here’s another item. The United Nations Security Council authorized an international peacekeeping force for Gaza and a U.S. plan for the territory. NPR’s Michele Kelemen reports.
MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz describes Gaza as a crucible of conflict.
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MIKE WALTZ: A hell on earth, where Hamas’ brutality and terror met Israel’s fierce response.
KELEMEN: But he says the Security Council resolution that passed in a 13-0 vote could help chart a new course, and President Trump will be playing a big role in that.
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WALTZ: The Board of Peace, which will be led by President Trump, remains the cornerstone of our effort. The board will coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, facilitate Gaza’s development and support a technocratic committee of Palestinians responsible for day-to-day operations.
KELEMEN: The resolution also authorizes an International Stabilization Force until December of 2027. Waltz says he expects peacekeepers will come from mostly Muslim-majority nations. Algeria’s ambassador, Amar Bendjama, calls that a major development and says the force must protect Palestinian civilians and enable the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. He points to some of the language that convinced his country to vote yes.
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AMAR BENDJAMA: It clearly affirms no annexation, no occupation, no forced displacement.
KELEMEN: The Security Council resolution only alludes to the possibility of a pathway to Palestinian statehood. Russia’s ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, had proposed a different draft but backed down and abstained in the vote, along with China.
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VASILY NEBENZYA: (Non-English language spoken).
KELEMEN: Nebenzya says the main thing is that this document should not become a smoke screen for what he calls unbridled experiments by the U.S. and Israel in controlling Gaza and that this does not become the death knell of a two-state solution. Hamas rejected what it called an international trusteeship that’s being imposed on the Gaza Strip and said an international force should be neutral and not turned into a party to the conflict. Israel’s ambassador says his country will make sure that Hamas is demilitarized and no longer poses a threat.
Michele Kelemen, NPR News, the State Department.
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