NEW YORK – The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, passed a landmark US-drafted resolution endorsing a controversial 20-point peace plan for Gaza developed by former US President Donald Trump. The resolution, identified as UNSC Resolution 2803, was adopted with 13 votes in favour, securing a binding international mandate for the plan after a two-year conflict.

In a significant diplomatic development, permanent members Russia and China abstained from the vote, choosing not to exercise their veto power following weeks of intense negotiations. The vote, which concluded around 3:45 AM East Africa Time (7:45 PM, Monday in New York), marks a pivotal moment in international efforts to address the long-running conflict.

Key Provisions of the Resolution

The resolution enshrines a multi-phase approach to stabilizing the Gaza Strip. Central to the plan is the establishment of two new bodies:

• A “Board of Peace” (BoP), a transitional administrative body to be chaired by Donald Trump with a mandate running until the end of 2027. This board will supervise a committee of Palestinian technocrats responsible for the day-to-day civil service and administration of Gaza.
• An International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a temporary multinational force authorised by the Board of Peace. The ISF is tasked with securing border areas, overseeing the demilitarisation of militant groups, protecting humanitarian operations, and dismantling terrorist infrastructure, all in close coordination with Egypt and Israel.

The text also includes conditional language referencing a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood” once reforms within the Palestinian Authority are complete and reconstruction has advanced. This clause was reportedly a key compromise to secure broader support, particularly from Arab and Muslim nations.

Divided International Reactions

Following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described the resolution as a “historic and constructive” step that would enable Gaza to prosper and provide security for Israel. Mr. Trump celebrated the vote on social media, calling it “one of the biggest approvals in the history of the United Nations.”

However, the plan faces staunch opposition from Hamas. The militant group, which is explicitly excluded from any governance role, rejected the resolution, stating it imposes an “international guardianship mechanism” and fails to meet Palestinian demands. A key point of contention is the mandate for the ISF to disarm resistance groups, which Hamas said would strip the force of its neutrality and turn it into “a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.”

Russia’s ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, explained his country's abstention by stating the Council was giving a “blessing to a US initiative on the basis of Washington's promises” and ceding complete control to the new bodies without clear modalities.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While Kenya is not currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the resolution's passage has significant diplomatic implications for the nation and the broader East Africa region. Kenya's foreign policy has officially and consistently supported a two-state solution, a position recently enshrined in law through a 2025 sessional paper. However, recent voting patterns at the UN have shown shifts, including abstentions on resolutions concerning Palestinian health rights, suggesting a more transactional diplomatic approach under the current administration.

As a major contributor to global peacekeeping, Kenya could face calls to provide troops for the new International Stabilisation Force. Any such request would necessitate a careful weighing of Nairobi's strategic interests against the complexities of a mandate that includes the disarmament of Hamas. The government has not yet issued an official statement on the resolution.

The establishment of a new security framework in the Middle East could also have ripple effects on regional security in the Horn of Africa, where stability is often linked to geopolitical shifts in the Arabian Peninsula and Levant.

Analysis: An Unprecedented Approach

The resolution's authorization of a transitional body led by a former head of state is highly unorthodox in the history of UN-led peace efforts. Analysts suggest the move is an attempt to leverage Mr. Trump's personal involvement in negotiating the plan's first phase, which led to a ceasefire in October 2025. However, it raises critical questions about accountability, neutrality, and the precedent it sets for future conflict resolution.

The abstentions from Russia and China signal a strategic reluctance. By not vetoing the resolution, they avoid being seen as obstructing a peace initiative supported by several Arab and Muslim nations, while simultaneously withholding their official endorsement, thereby maintaining distance from its potential failure. The success of this ambitious plan now hinges on its implementation, contingent on securing troop contributions for the ISF, navigating the staunch opposition of Hamas, and managing the delicate regional balance of power.