UN Security Council Approves US Plan for Gaza Force, Israel Warns of Risks

The UN Security Council voted last night to approve a US-sponsored resolution establishing an International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, advancing President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan and giving Washington new momentum to preserve the Gaza ceasefire.

The resolution authorizes the ISF to secure Gaza’s borders, protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian aid, train Palestinian police, and “ensure the process of demilitarizing” the Strip. It also “welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump, which will oversee Gaza’s redevelopment and the formation of a Palestinian technocratic government.

Israeli officials note that creation of the force marks a significant shift in international involvement, even as diplomats stressed that the foreign force would begin deploying at the start of 2026. According to the resolution’s text, Hamas is expected to disarm and a “pathway to establishing a Palestinian state” will open. 

Washington says Hamas leaders pledged to disarm before the deal was signed, though US officials acknowledge limited progress in negotiations over weapons decommissioning. Trump’s plan states the ISF will participate directly in dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure.

Point 19 of the plan states that if Gaza’s redevelopment advances and a Palestinian Authority reform program is implemented faithfully, “conditions may finally be in place” for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The final point tasks Washington with launching a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians on a political horizon for coexistence.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the vote, saying it is ready to work with the international community to implement the resolution “in a way that ends the suffering of our Palestinian people… and advances the political path leading to peace, security, and stability,” while thanking states that support Palestinian efforts toward independence.

Hamas however sharply rejected the decision. “The decision does not meet the level of our Palestinian people’s political demands and rights,” the group said, calling the resolution “an international control mechanism” imposed on Gaza. It warned that the plan “disconnects Gaza from the rest of the Palestinian geography” and “denies our people the right to self-determination and to establish a state with Jerusalem as its capital.” Hamas reiterated that “resistance weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation” and argued that any discussion of arms “must remain a national internal matter.”

The group also rejected the ISF’s role. Assigning tasks inside Gaza “removes its neutrality and turns it into a party to the conflict,” Hamas argued, insisting that any international force operate only on the borders under UN supervision. Humanitarian aid, it said, “cannot remain subject to politicization and extortion.”

Trump celebrated the vote on Truth Social, calling it “one of the biggest approvals in the history of the United Nations” and thanking Security Council members along with regional supporters. He said the Board of Peace would include “powerful and respected leaders,” with announcements expected in the coming weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump and his team, saying Israel believes the plan “will lead to peace and prosperity because it insists upon full demilitarization, disarmament, and deradicalization of Gaza.” He added that Israel expects swift return of all deceased hostages and cooperation in ending Hamas rule.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon responded to the vote. “Just as we are determined to bring all the hostages home, we will show the same determination to ensure that Hamas is dismantled,” he said. “We will not stop and we will not rest until Hamas no longer poses a threat to the State of Israel.”