UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council is set to vote Monday on a U.S. plan for Gaza that would provide international backing for a stabilization force…
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote Monday on a U.S. plan for Gaza that would provide international backing for a stabilization force and envisions a possible future pathway to an independent Palestinian state. But a big question remains: Will Russia veto it?
After nearly two weeks of negotiations on the U.S. resolution, Russia suddenly circulated a rival proposal late Thursday that would strip out reference to a transitional authority meant to be headed by President Donald Trump and ask the United Nations chief to provide options on an international force to provide security in Gaza.
The vote is a crucial next step for the fragile ceasefire and efforts to outline Gaza’s future following two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Arab and other Muslim countries that have expressed interest in providing troops for an international stabilization force have signaled that U.N. Security Council authorization is essential for their participation.
Several council diplomats said they are hopeful Russia and China will abstain because of their ties to eight Muslim-majority countries that urged “swift adoption” of the U.S. resolution. But Moscow’s vote especially remains unknown, according to the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Russia is one of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council, along with China, France, Britain and the U.S.
The U.S. resolution endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which calls for a yet-to-be-established Board of Peace as a transitional authority that he would head. It also would authorize the stabilization force to have a wide mandate, including overseeing the borders, providing security and demilitarizing the territory.
