The mention of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), which is supposed to oversee security in Gaza, is key.
The ISF’s mandate gives it the authority to disarm and disband any armed groups in Gaza, such as Hamas, but it is not at all clear whether these “peacekeepers” will agree to try to confront Hamas.
Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been identified by an adviser to President Trump as countries that could contribute to this force. Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, France and Cyprus have also reportedly expressed interest in contributing to the ISF.
The US resolution calls on stabilization forces to ensure “the process of demilitarization of the Gaza Strip” and the “permanent disarmament of non-state armed groups”.
Hamas: We will not be disarmed
The big question was how to disarm Hamas, which said on Monday that disarmament “deprives it of its neutrality and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.”
The resolution authorizes the force to “use all necessary measures to fulfill its mandate” in accordance with international law, which is UN parlance for the use of military force.
The text of the resolution states that “the conditions for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood can finally be met” once the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited control over the occupied West Bank, implements a reform program and the reconstruction of Gaza progresses.
“The United States will engage in dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” the resolution said.
Will the Palestinians finally get their own state?
The resolution also calls for the resumption of large-scale humanitarian aid deliveries through the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority issued a statement welcoming the resolution and saying it was ready to participate in its implementation.
Diplomats said the Palestinian Authority’s approval of the resolution last week was key to avoiding a Russian veto.
Ahead of the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country categorically rejected the creation of a Palestinian state and pledged to demilitarize Gaza “the easy way or the hard way.”
Even the language in which the resolution is carried falls far short of the firm commitment of Arab and Islamic states, as well as members of the European Council, to build a Palestinian state alongside Israel. But in speeches after the vote, delegates from those countries said they were ready to accept a compromise to extend the current ceasefire and immediate measures to secure food and protect the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza.
