It is still too early to fully assess or analyze the details of the draft proposal the United States has presented to several members of the UN Security Council as part of initial negotiations over the final wording of a potential international “stabilization force” for the Gaza Strip.
The original “20-point plan” presented by Trump used the term disarmament, while the draft proposal to the Security Council uses the term decommissioning—a softer and vaguer phrase that effectively means “taking out of use.” The practical meaning of this term is ambiguous and may allow Hamas to avoid surrendering its weapons—particularly small arms—to an external authority that would ensure the group no longer has access to them.
Another point of concern for Israel is the reliance on the United Nations as the source of authority for establishing the stabilization force and the Board of Peace. This could give the UN influence over the mandate language and the rules of engagement granted to the force.
Israeli officials fear a repeat of the UNIFIL experience in southern Lebanon, where international forces repeatedly failed to disarm Hezbollah. If this pattern repeats, the stabilization force could hinder Israel’s ability to achieve its key wartime objectives: ensuring that Hamas no longer poses a threat and preventing the group from rebuilding its military capabilities and infrastructure.
On a positive note, the resolution dedicates several articles to international support for Gaza and even calls on world nations to support the Strip’s rehabilitation financially. However, UNRWA is not included among the organizations meant to rehabilitate Gaza, and the resolution makes clear that any organization whose personnel cooperate with terrorism will be removed.
This proposal is not yet finalized; however, Israel’s apprehension is certainly warranted given the potential for this proposal to mirror the UNIFIL disaster. The exclusion of UNRWA from the “stabilization force” is a significant positive aspect. Thus, we remain in a state of anticipation.