United Nations: The United States on Friday intensified its push for Security Council backing of its Gaza proposal, even as Russia circulated a competing draft that removes references to a transitional authority slated to be headed by President Donald Trump and instead urges the UN to explore options for an international stabilization force.
The U.S. — joined by Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey — called for the “swift adoption” of the revised American draft, which aims to solidify the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after more than two years of conflict. Only Pakistan is currently a member of the 15-nation Security Council.
According to a UN diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Washington altered its proposal this week to include clearer language on Palestinian self-determination after receiving pushback from some council members. Both the U.S. and Russian drafts are expected to be put to a vote early next week, with the American plan likely to secure the required nine votes amid expectations that Russia and China would abstain rather than veto.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Trump’s ceasefire blueprint as “the best path to peace in the Middle East,” arguing that the resolution would enable the plan to advance.
The U.S. draft endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, including the creation of a transitional Board of Peace led by Trump and authorization of a broad-mandated international stabilization force to secure Gaza’s borders, maintain security and oversee demilitarization. Several Arab and other states interested in contributing forces have insisted that such authority is a prerequisite for participating.
After objections that the text failed to outline a pathway to an independent Palestinian state, negotiators added language stating that once reforms to the Palestinian Authority are implemented and Gaza’s reconstruction progresses, conditions “may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
Russia’s counter-proposal, obtained by the Associated Press, includes firmer commitments to a two-state solution and calls for Gaza and the West Bank to be unified under the Palestinian Authority. Moscow said it introduced its draft to ensure the Security Council maintains its responsibility for peace, accountability and adherence to established UN decisions.
While arguing that its text aligns the process with previous council positions, Russia said its proposal does not conflict with the U.S. initiative and acknowledges the efforts of U.S., Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators in securing the ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian steps.
The U.S. mission to the UN cautioned on Thursday that any attempts to “sow discord” within the council could have “grave and avoidable consequences” for Palestinians in Gaza, urging members to rally behind the updated U.S. draft.
