President Donald Trump on Monday hailed the UN Security Council’s adoption of his Gaza peace plan as “a moment of true Historic proportion,” but his optimism was immediately undercut by scathing criticism from Russia and an outright rejection from Hamas. The US-drafted resolution, which authorizes a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and an “international stabilization force” (ISF), passed only because Russia and China abstained from using their veto.
Trump’s “historic” plan envisions a new future for Gaza, with his “Board of Peace” overseeing reconstruction and the ISF ensuring the enclave’s complete demilitarization. His UN ambassador, Mike Waltz, told the council the plan “dismantles Hamas’ grip” and “charts a possible pathway for Palestinian self-determination.” Trump himself promised on social media that the “members of the Board” would be announced soon.
This vision was not shared by Russia. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya delivered a stinging critique, saying the council was “giving its blessing to a U.S. initiative on the basis of Washington’s promises.” He argued that the resolution gives “complete control” to the US-led bodies, “the modalities of which we know nothing about,” and lamented the lack of any role for the UN.
On the ground, the reaction was even more hostile. Hamas, the militant group that would be disarmed by the ISF, issued a statement condemning the resolution as an “international guardianship mechanism.” The group vowed that it “will not disarm” and would continue its “legitimate resistance,” directly challenging the new UN mandate.
The plan did receive a crucial endorsement from the Palestinian Authority, which welcomed the resolution. This move was seen by diplomats as key to preventing a Russian veto. However, the plan’s reference to a “pathway to… statehood” has, in turn, sparked opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demonstrating that nearly every party involved has a major issue with a core component of Trump’s “historic” plan.
Trump’s “Historic” Gaza Plan Met with Russian Scorn and Hamas Rejection
