Hamas Rejects UN Security Council Resolution Authorizing International Stabilization Force for Gaza

Latest Developments

• Hamas Says No to Disarmament: Hamas emphatically rejected the UN Security Council’s adoption — by 13 votes in favor, with abstentions from Russia and China — of Resolution 2803 on November 17. In a statement, the terrorist group highlighted the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) to be deployed in Gaza, asserting that its ostensible duties, “including disarming the resistance, strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.” Hamas also restated its fundamental position that “resisting occupation by all means is a legitimate right.”
• ‘Strong Coalition of Peacekeepers’: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the Security Council that the ISF would operate under the supervision of a “Board of Peace” chaired by President Donald Trump. Waltz said that the ISF would involve “a strong coalition of peacekeepers, many from Muslim majority nations like Indonesia, Azerbaijan and others,” which would “oversee demilitarization” and take responsibility for security in Gaza, including the delivery of humanitarian aid. However, key states in the region, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, have indicated that they would not provide troops for the force, while Israel has expressed opposition to the inclusion of troops from Turkey and Qatar, both of whom back Hamas.
• Netanyahu Highlights Demilitarization Provision: The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the resolution’s passage, emphasizing that it “insists upon full demilitarization, disarmament, and the deradicalization of Gaza.” Netanyahu’s office also expressed gratitude for the Trump administration’s initiative, noting that the “courage and sacrifice of our brave soldiers, along with President Trump’s diplomatic efforts, helped bring home all of the living hostages and most of the deceased ones.”

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas began this war, and Hamas considers that it is still fighting this war. That will be damaging, most of all for those Gazans who do not embrace Hamas’s genocidal ideology and ambitions. So long as Hamas refuses to disarm, most countries will be reluctant to provide troops for a stabilization force, and the rebuilding of Gaza will be slow at best.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“This is a significant diplomatic accomplishment by the United States. Neither Russia nor China felt confident enough to veto, even though there are aspects of the Trump plan that they dislike. The adoption of the resolution adds impetus to the plan, but now, it is essential to put pressure on Hamas and call them out for their ceasefire breaches and failure to comply.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“Achieving passage of the resolution, including its clear rejection of continued Hamas rule, is a major diplomatic victory for the U.S.. The Gaza arrangement enshrined by the resolution represents a bold gamble with tremendous upside potential, but also significant downside risks. In practice, the resolution puts the new Board of Peace, headed by the U.S. president, in charge of portions of Gaza that are currently controlled by Hamas, a terrorist group that strongly opposes the resolution and remains both armed and dedicated to destroying Israel. It will take remarkably effective implementation and coordination — and a lot of luck — for this new setup to avoid creating major new tensions between Israel and the United States and between Israel and the countries which send peacekeeping troops to Gaza.” — Orde Kittrie, FDD Senior Fellow 

FDD Background and Analysis

“Russia Floats Counter-Resolution on Gaza as U.S. Proposal Faces Pushback,” FDD Flash Brief

“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