Hamas rejects UN plan for international forces in Gaza<\/p>\n
Hamas<\/strong> has rejected the UN security council passing the US-drafted resolution endorsing an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, saying it fails to meet Palestinians\u2019 rights and demands, favours the Israeli occupation, and seeks to impose an international trusteeship on the enclave that Palestinians and resistance factions oppose.<\/p>\n \u201cThe resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza<\/a> Strip, which our people and their factions reject,\u201d the group said in a lengthy post on Telegram. It goes on:<\/p>\n Assigning the international force with tasks and roles inside the Gaza Strip, including disarming the resistance<\/strong>, strips it of its neutrality<\/strong>, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favour of the occupation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Any international force, if established, must be deployed only at the borders to separate forces<\/strong>, monitor the ceasefire<\/strong>, and must be fully under UN supervision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Earlier on Monday, a Hamas spokesperson indicated to Al Jazeera that the group would reject foreign control of the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n The resolution passed by the UN security council does mention a possible future Palestinian state, using convoluted language.<\/p>\n Once the Palestinian Authority has carried out requested reforms and the rebuilding of Gaza<\/strong> is under way, \u201cthe conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood\u201d, the US-drafted text says.<\/p>\n That eventuality, however, has been firmly rejected by Israel. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/strong> said on Sunday that he would fight any attempt to establish a Palestinian state and that Israel\u2019s opposition to it had \u201cnot changed one bit\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon<\/strong>, said before the vote that the resolution would \u201cmake sure that Hamas will not pose a threat against Israel<\/a> any more\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.30 EST<\/p>\n Hamas rejects UN plan for international forces in Gaza<\/p>\n Hamas<\/strong> has rejected the UN security council passing the US-drafted resolution endorsing an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, saying it fails to meet Palestinians\u2019 rights and demands, favours the Israeli occupation, and seeks to impose an international trusteeship on the enclave that Palestinians and resistance factions oppose.<\/p>\n \u201cThe resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza<\/a> Strip, which our people and their factions reject,\u201d the group said in a lengthy post on Telegram. It goes on:<\/p>\n Assigning the international force with tasks and roles inside the Gaza Strip, including disarming the resistance<\/strong>, strips it of its neutrality<\/strong>, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favour of the occupation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Any international force, if established, must be deployed only at the borders to separate forces<\/strong>, monitor the ceasefire<\/strong>, and must be fully under UN supervision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Earlier on Monday, a Hamas spokesperson indicated to Al Jazeera that the group would reject foreign control of the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n After the vote, Mike Waltz<\/strong> thanked the council for \u201cjoining us in charting a new course for Israelis, Palestinians and all the people in the region alike\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thirteen nations voted in favour, none voted against, and two countries abstained.<\/p>\n The abstentions were Russia and China.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.27 EST<\/p>\n UN security council passes US-drafted resolution authorising an international stabilisation force in Gaza<\/p>\n The UN security council has voted to pass the US-drafted resolution regarding the mandate for an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza<\/a>, one of the key points in Trump\u2019s Gaza plan.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.14 EST<\/p>\n UN security council meeting under way<\/p>\n The UN security council meeting is under way now.<\/p>\n Mike Waltz<\/strong>, the US<\/strong> ambassador, describes Gaza<\/a> as \u201chell on earth\u201d after two years of war, and holds up a copy of the resolution, describing it as \u201ca lifeline\u201d.<\/p>\n The International Stabilisation Force, he says, would be \u201ctasked with securing the area, supporting the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantling the terrorist infrastructure, removing weapons, and ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians\u201d.<\/p>\n He asks, if the Arab and Muslim-majority nations accept this resolution, \u201chow could anyone be against it?\u201d<\/p>\n I ask everyone today: are you more righteous in this cause than those who must live with it, and who ultimately will benefit from this plan for peace.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.04 EST<\/p>\n US planning on dividing Gaza into ‘green zone’ and ‘red zone’<\/p>\n The US is planning for the long-term division of Gaza into a \u201cgreen zone\u201d under Israeli and international military control, where reconstruction would start, and a \u201cred zone\u201d to be left in ruins.<\/p>\n Foreign forces will initially deploy alongside Israeli soldiers in the east of Gaza<\/a>, leaving the devastated strip divided by the current Israeli-controlled \u201cyellow line\u201d, according to US military planning documents seen by the Guardian and sources briefed on American plans.<\/p>\n map of US plan for division of Gaza<\/a><\/p>\n The US military plans raise serious questions about Washington\u2019s commitment to turning the ceasefire announced last month into an enduring political settlement with Palestinian rule across Gaza<\/a>, which was promised by Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Plans for Gaza\u2019s future have been shifting at a dizzying rate, reflecting a chaotic, improvised approach to resolving one of the world\u2019s most complex and intractable conflicts and providing aid including food and shelter to 2 million Palestinians.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Israeli rightwing ministers rally against prospect of Palestinian statehood<\/p>\n Patrick Wintour<\/a> and Jason Burke<\/a> in Jerusalem<\/p>\n Saudi<\/strong> sources said it was remarkable that Donald Trump was backing a motion to the UN endorsing the concept of a Palestinian state<\/strong>. The Trump administration<\/a> has largely ignored the UN or used its veto throughout the Gaza conflict.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s<\/strong> prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, faced with a backlash from within his own government over the clause, said at his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that he did not need encouragement from anyone to express his opposition to a Palestinian state but that the clause was necessary since \u201cno country was eager to join the multinational force in the Gaza Strip\u201d.<\/p>\n On Saturday, the far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir<\/strong> and Bezalel Smotrich<\/strong> had called on Netanyahu to denounce the idea of a Palestinian state. Smotrich said the prime minister had \u201cchosen silence and diplomatic disgrace\u201d while Ben-Gvir threatened to leave his coalition.<\/p>\n Though both ministers were primarily rallying their own supporters before a looming election, a far-right walkout could bring down Netanyahu\u2019s rightwing government well before the country goes to the polls, which must be by October 2026.<\/p>\n Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at the Knesset on 10 November. Photograph: Abir Sultan\/EPA<\/p>\n The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz<\/strong>, and the foreign minister, Gideon Saar<\/strong>, also posted statements on X denouncing a Palestinian state on Sunday, without mentioning Netanyahu. \u201cIsrael will not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel<\/a>,\u201d Saar wrote.<\/p>\n Netanyahu has long opposed a Palestinian state<\/a>, saying in recent months that its creation would reward Hamas and endanger Israel\u2019s security. Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel\u2019s opposition to a Palestinian state had \u201cnot changed one bit\u201d.<\/p>\n Pressure for progress towards Palestinian statehood increased during Israel\u2019s war in Gaza. In September, the UK<\/strong>, Australia<\/strong> and Canada<\/strong> formally recognised a Palestinian state<\/a> in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where settler violence against Palestinians has surged<\/a> and Israeli politicians have raised threats of annexation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.03 EST<\/p>\n UN vote critical to legitimising International Force<\/p>\n Frances Mao<\/p>\n Now that the first phase of Trump\u2019s plan \u2013 the return of hostages and exchange of prisoners \u2013 has been completed, this UN vote is crucial to the implementation of phase two.<\/p>\n The resolution is \u201ccritical\u201d to this phase is because it \u201cgives legitimacy and a mandate\u201d for the deployment of the International Stabilisation Force<\/strong> (ISF), says Urban Coningham, an analyst with the London-based Royal United Services Institute defence and security think tank.<\/p>\n This gives the ISF legal precedent as well as a sense of security for countries that contribute to the ISF and to humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He says the resolution also sets out activities for the ISF such as working on demilitarising the Gaza<\/a> Strip, although what kind of demilitarisation is not mentioned and \u201cdefining it remains a significant obstacle to be navigated\u201d.<\/p>\n Without the ISF, it is very difficult for aid to be delivered and distributed in the strip, as well as for reconstruction efforts by the Board of Peace to begin. So this is a necessary first step before that can begin.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.24 EST<\/p>\n Arab and Muslim-majority countries supporting ISF vote<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, the US has received strong backing and input from Arab states for this UN resolution and also Trump\u2019s wider plan.<\/p>\n A joint statement of support for the ISF proposal was issued by nine countries including Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia<\/strong> and Saudi Arabia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n These states will be crucial in forming the main contingents of the ISF, training a new Palestinian police force and providing funding for the strip.<\/p>\n Their involvement likely explains the substantial US policy shift in mentioning a future Palestinian state, \u201cas Arab rulers argue they cannot contribute to the ISF or rebuilding without some form of positive political horizon to aim for\u201d, says analyst Urba Coningham from RUSI thinktank.<\/p>\n However there is still unease about the Trump plan remains among Muslim countries.<\/p>\n UAE<\/strong> and Jordan<\/strong> have both said they cannot supply troops while Israel<\/strong> has vetoed Turkey<\/strong> joining the force on the basis that Turkey is too close ideologically to Hamas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>What is this proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF)?<\/p>\n This idea of an international force stabilising Gaza comes from Trump\u2019s 20-point plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n The new force<\/a>, the UN resolution draft says, would receive a two-year mandate under the resolution and help secure border areas, protect civilians, secure humanitarian aid corridors and work on the \u201cpermanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups\u201d.<\/p>\n Trump wants Arab or Muslim forces to supply troops for the force, which means its mandate and the prospect of a Palestinian state must be acceptable to Arab states.<\/p>\n Saudi sources said it was remarkable that Trump was backing a motion to the UN endorsing the concept of a Palestinian state. The Trump administration<\/a> has largely ignored the UN or used its veto throughout the Gaza conflict.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s wider plan also calls for the disarmament of Hamas and demilitarisation of Gaza<\/a>, as well as the reconstruction of the devastated territory and its placing under the authority of a technocratic Palestinian administration answering ultimately to a \u201cBoard of Peace\u201d to be chaired by the US president.<\/p>\n A displacement camp in Gaza City as seen on November 14, 2025. The United States on November 13 called on the Security Council to unite and back its draft resolution warning that Palestinians could otherwise suffer \u201cgrave\u201d consequences. Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>US lobbied hard for resolution support<\/p>\n The US had campaigned hard to get most members of the council on board with its resolution.<\/p>\n Its delegation has made it known that the resolution has the backing of several Arab and Muslim-majority nations.<\/p>\n \u201cAny refusal to back this resolution is a vote either for the continued reign of Hamas terrorists or for the return to war with Israel, condemning the region and its people to perpetual conflict,\u201d the US ambassador to the United Nations<\/a>, Mike Waltz wrote in The Washington Post on Friday.<\/p>\n Mike Waltz Photograph: Brendan Smialowski\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.24 EST<\/p>\n Current UN security council members<\/p>\n The five permanent members of the UN security council with veto power are: US, UK, France, China, Russia.<\/p>\n The other members of the council for 2025 are: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.<\/p>\n Each member of the council has one vote. A draft resolution needs at least nine \u201cyes\u201d votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.25 EST<\/p>\n Russia and China had competing draft focusing more on Palestinian statehood<\/p>\n Veto-wielding Russia<\/strong> and China<\/strong> had also circulated a competing draft, saying the US document did not go far enough towards backing Palestinian statehood.<\/p>\n The competing text, as seen by some outlets, called on the Security Council to express \u201cunwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution.\u201d<\/p>\n It did not lend calls of support for a governing Board of Peace or for the deployment of an international force- instead calling for \u201coptions\u201d on those issues.<\/p>\n The Russian-Chinese rival text is probably closer to the true views of the Arab states on a two-state solution, but the Gulf countries know they have to work with the US text since Trump\u2019s endorsement is necessary in order for Israel<\/a> to accept the stabilisation force.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>What does the resolution say?<\/p>\n The US-led resolution \u201cendorses\u201d Donald Trump<\/strong>\u2019s plan for Gaza<\/a>, the first phase of which secured the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October.<\/p>\n In addressing the second phase, the resolution:<\/p>\n Authorises the creation of an International Stabilisation Force<\/strong> that would work to secure border areas, protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance, support the training and deployment of a reconstituted Palestinian police force, and de-militarise the Strip (this includes overseeing the permanent de-commissioning of weapons held by Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Indicates that Israeli forces fully withdraw<\/strong> once the force has established security and operational control across the territory<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Approves the creation of a \u201cBoard of Peace\u201d<\/strong> – the transitional governing body for Gaza, to be chaired by Trump, which will have an initial mandate to do so for the next two years \u2013 to coordinate security, humanitarian and reconstruction planning. This would guide Gaza towards a reformed Palestinian governing authority<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mentions a possible future Palestinian state<\/strong> – a last-minute addition following pressure from Arab states. The resolution outlines a pathway towards Palestinian self-determination and eventual statehood, linked to accountable governance and reconstruction milestones. Israel<\/a>, of course, continues to firmly reject the notion of a Palestinian state<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Share<\/a>UN security council to vote on Gaza international force plan in resolution that also references Palestinian state<\/p>\n The UN security council will shortly vote on a resolution that would authorise an international stabilisation force to the Gaza Strip<\/strong>, as per the next phase of Donald Trump<\/strong>\u2019s 20-point Gaza plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n And in an eleventh-hour addition following pressure from Arab states, the US-drafted resolution now also includes a tentative reference to a future Palestinian state<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The resolution\u2019s wording was drafted several times after rounds of negotiations, and is now supported by key Arab and Muslim-majority countries.<\/p>\n But Russia, which has passed around its own resolution, and China, may abstain from the vote.<\/p>\n\n
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