UN Security Council backs Trump peace plan for Gaza, authorizing stabilization force
The UN Security Council approved a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan and authorizing an international stabilization force by a 13-0 vote.
November 17, 2025 - 06:03 PM ET • 2 min read
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday approved a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza and mandating the deployment of an international stabilization force.
The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and zero against. Russia and China, permanent members of the council, abstained from the vote. The approval provides a legal UN mandate for the administration's vision for rebuilding the Gaza Strip following a two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz thanked the Security Council for the approval, calling the resolution "historic and constructive." Waltz said the council would "seize the opportunity of today to end decades of bloodshed and make lasting peace a reality," adding that the plan marked the beginning of a path toward a "strong, stable and prosperous" Middle East.
The resolution incorporates President Trump's comprehensive 20-point plan, which aims to move beyond the fragile ceasefire established last month.
A central element of the resolution is the authorization of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). Sources indicate the ISF could involve up to 20,000 personnel. Arab and other Muslim countries interested in contributing troops had previously indicated that a UN mandate was essential for their participation, officials said.
The ISF is tasked with securing Gaza's borders with Israel and Egypt, protecting civilians and humanitarian corridors within the territory, and training a future Palestinian police force. The plan also calls for the demilitarization of Gaza. The ISF is expected to operate at least until December 2027, according to sources.
The resolution also mandates a transitional administration, referred to in the plan as a "Board of Peace," which President Trump is slated to chair. This board would oversee the peace plan and have the final say on governance issues within the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the future political status of the territory, the resolution envisions a "credible pathway" to Palestinian statehood. However, the proposal does not offer a specific timeline or guarantee for an independent state, stating that statehood is possible only after advances in the reconstruction of Gaza and reforms of the Palestinian Authority.