On November 4, 2025, the United States took a bold step on the world stage by circulating a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council, seeking approval for an international stabilization force in Gaza. The move, reported by the Associated Press and Axios, represents a pivotal moment in President Donald Trump’s 20-step plan to end more than two years of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The draft resolution, confirmed by U.S. officials, outlines a two-year mandate for the force, with the potential for extensions, and signals a new phase in the international community’s efforts to bring stability, security, and humanitarian relief to the battered Gaza Strip.
According to the Associated Press, the draft, which is still in its early stages, is intended as a template for what are expected to be tough negotiations among the 15-member Security Council and other international partners. The proposal comes as the region remains fragile, with a ceasefire brokered only weeks before and the humanitarian situation in Gaza growing ever more dire.
At the heart of the plan is the creation of an international stabilization force, described by U.S. officials as an enforcement force rather than a traditional peacekeeping mission. The force would be tasked with ensuring the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, including the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups such as Hamas. This mandate is seen as essential to preventing a resurgence of violence and enabling the reconstruction of Gaza after years of destruction.
The draft resolution proposes that the stabilization force operate under a unified command structure, working closely with a yet-to-be-established "Board of Peace." President Trump has indicated he would chair this board, which is envisioned as a transitional governing body for Gaza until the Palestinian Authority completes a series of reforms enabling it to take over longer-term governance. The Board of Peace would also supervise a technocratic committee of competent Palestinians responsible for day-to-day administration in Gaza, as reported by Axios.
Participating countries would be given a broad mandate to provide security through the end of 2027, with the possibility of extending the mission if necessary. The force would coordinate closely with Egypt and Israel, both of whom border Gaza, to secure border areas, prevent the smuggling of weapons, and facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance. The draft emphasizes the "full resumption" of aid to Gaza by the United Nations, Red Cross, and Red Crescent, with strict measures in place to prevent the diversion or misuse of supplies.
Humanitarian needs in Gaza are acute. The war, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has left more than 68,800 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government but staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records widely considered reliable by independent experts. Israel disputes these figures but has not provided alternative numbers. The conflict began when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages, sparking an Israeli military offensive of unprecedented scale.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025, has seen some progress on humanitarian and prisoner exchange fronts. On November 4, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that the remains of another hostage, identified as IDF soldier Itay Chen, were returned to Israel. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas has returned the remains of 20 hostages, while Israel has handed over the remains of 270 Palestinians. Forensic identification of these remains is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza, leading the Health Ministry to post photos online in hopes families can identify their loved ones.
Red Cross vehicles have played a crucial role in retrieving hostages’ remains from Gaza, further underscoring the need for robust international cooperation on the ground. The stabilization force, as proposed, would work alongside a Palestinian police force that it would train and vet, supporting local capacity-building and paving the way for future Palestinian self-governance.
Arab countries and other international partners have expressed interest in contributing troops to the stabilization force, but insist that U.N. backing is essential for their participation. According to Axios, countries such as Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Turkey have shown willingness to be involved, provided there is a clear Security Council mandate. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed this sentiment, stating, “What we believe is that whatever entity that is created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a mandate from the Security Council.”
Still, the path to approval is anything but straightforward. China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, are expected to be the biggest sources of opposition. Their concerns center on the scope of the mandate, the structure of the transitional governance, and the precedent such a force might set for future conflicts. Negotiations among Security Council members are expected to be intense, with the U.S. aiming for a vote in the coming weeks and hoping to deploy the first troops to Gaza by January 2026.
Hamish Falconer, Britain’s minister for the Middle East and North Africa, told the Associated Press that the U.K.’s focus remains on ensuring the fragile ceasefire holds and that aid continues to flow into Gaza. Falconer emphasized, “It is important for any stabilization force in Gaza to be underpinned by a Security Council mandate.” He also noted that many questions remain about the implementation of phase two of Trump’s plan, especially as the first phase is still incomplete.
The draft resolution makes clear that the International Security Force (ISF) would be empowered "to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate consistent with international law, including international humanitarian law." This includes not only security operations but also the stabilization of Gaza’s political and civil structures. The ISF would be authorized to take on "additional tasks as may be necessary in support of the Gaza agreement," providing flexibility to respond to evolving conditions on the ground.
Observers note that the proposal reflects lessons learned from previous international interventions in conflict zones, where the absence of a clear mandate and robust enforcement mechanisms often led to mission failure or prolonged instability. The insistence on a Security Council mandate and close cooperation with regional stakeholders is seen as an attempt to avoid such pitfalls.
As negotiations continue, the world watches closely. The stakes could hardly be higher: the future of Gaza, the lives of its people, and the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians all hang in the balance. Whether the U.S. can marshal enough support to overcome expected vetoes and turn this ambitious plan into reality remains to be seen. But for now, the draft resolution stands as a testament to renewed international engagement and the enduring hope for a better, more peaceful future for Gaza.