Russia Floats Counter-Resolution on Gaza as U.S. Proposal Faces Pushback

Latest Developments

• Russia Proposes Draft Resolution: Russia floated a draft UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the future of Gaza on November 13 that contrasts with a U.S. proposal to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the enclave. Moscow’s draft discusses examining “the options of [the] deployment” of the ISF in Gaza, while the U.S. draft calls for the explicit implementation of an ISF for a duration of at least two years, in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal. Additionally, the Russian draft does not mention Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” while the U.S. resolution “welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace as a transitional governance administration” in Gaza.
• U.S. Proposal Faces Opposition: as Along with Russia’s counterproposal, reports emerged this week that China and some Arab countries, including Algeria, are also opposed to the U.S. draft resolution. Beijing has also joined Moscow in calling for the removal of the Board of Peace — envisaged as a U.S.-led body that includes Palestinian and international experts — from the resolution. Both China and Russia hold veto power in the UNSC and could formally block the adoption of the U.S. proposal if it were brought to a vote within the body.
• U.S. Issues Joint Statement of Support: The United States, along with Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Turkey, issued a joint statement of support for the U.S. resolution on November 14. “We are issuing this statement as the Member States that gathered during High-Level Week to begin this process, which offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” the states declared. “We emphasize that this is a sincere effort, and the Plan provides a viable path towards peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region.

FDD Expert Response

“Any resolution to the Gaza war that does not lead to Hamas’s disarmament essentially starts the countdown to the next conflict. Hamas is an antisemitic and genocidal terrorist group committed to Israel’s destruction, and it has done its best to achieve that goal in the 20 years that it has ruled over Gaza. Allowing Hamas to regroup when it is so weakened would be fumbling on the goal line, and Israelis and Palestinians alike would suffer as a result.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“The key question here is whether agreement on the creation of the ISF will accelerate the disarmament of Hamas and its removal from power, as envisaged under the 20-point plan. As Israel knows well from its experience with UNIFIL in Lebanon, deploying peacekeepers as terrorist groups consolidate instead of disarming is a recipe for further conflict, not stability.” — Ben Cohen, Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director

FDD Background and Analysis

“U.S. Reportedly Drafts UN Security Council Resolution for Establishment of International Stabilization Force in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Jordan’s King Abdullah II Says No Country Will Volunteer to ‘Enforce’ Gaza Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief

“Turkey’s Gulf Tour and Erdogan’s Gaza Ambitions are Dangerous,” by Sinan Ciddi and Ahmad Sharawi

“What must be done — and NOT done — to make sure Gaza cease-fire holds,” by Bradley Bowman