The UN Security Council draft on Gaza now mentions a pathway to Palestinian statehood in its main text for the first time, using language identical to the US-backed Gaza plan. The clause ties progress on statehood to Palestinian Authority reforms and Gaza reconstruction and commits the US to convene Israel and the Palestinians for political talks. Russia circulated a rival draft that omits the US "Board of Peace" concept and asks the UN chief to identify stabilization force options. Washington seeks a two-year mandate for a transitional body and an international force while talks continue about contributions from several states.
UN Security Council Gaza Draft Mentions Palestinian State in Main Text for First Time
The UN Security Council draft on Gaza now mentions a pathway to Palestinian statehood in its main text for the first time, using language identical to the US-backed Gaza plan. The clause ties progress on statehood to Palestinian Authority reforms and Gaza reconstruction and commits the US to convene Israel and the Palestinians for political talks. Russia circulated a rival draft that omits the US "Board of Peace" concept and asks the UN chief to identify stabilization force options. Washington seeks a two-year mandate for a transitional body and an international force while talks continue about contributions from several states.
08:19 AM, 11/14/2025Politics
UN draft for Gaza references Palestinian statehood in main text
For the first time, a draft circulated at the United Nations Security Council that addresses an international stabilization force for Gaza explicitly mentions a pathway to a Palestinian state within the main body of the resolution rather than only in an annex.
The clause mirrors language from the US-backed Gaza plan and links any credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination to the successful implementation of Palestinian Authority reforms and progress on Gaza's reconstruction.
"After the PA reform program is faithfully carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence," the draft reads.
Why the placement matters
Observers say its placement in the resolution's main text — rather than relegated to an annex — represents a symbolic and substantive shift: it elevates the prospect of statehood into the primary terms of the Security Council's approach to Gaza stabilization and political follow-up.
Competing drafts and international response
Russia circulated a rival draft this week, describing its text as "inspired by the US draft" but aiming to produce a more balanced and unified Council response to secure a durable cessation of hostilities. According to copies seen by news agencies, the Russian proposal asks the UN Secretary-General to outline options for an international stabilization force for Gaza and does not include the US-proposed "Board of Peace" transitional administration.
The United States formally distributed its own draft last week and says it has regional support for a resolution that would authorize a two-year mandate for a transitional governing body and an international stabilization force. The US mission to the UN urged Council members to move forward, warning that efforts to disrupt negotiations could have "grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza" and stressing that the ceasefire remains fragile.
Context on the Gaza plan and force discussions
Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas agreed in October to the first phase of the 20-point Gaza plan that is attached as an annex to the US draft; that agreement was reached amid a two-year conflict and a related hostage-release arrangement. While President Donald Trump has said the United States would not deploy US soldiers to Gaza, officials have described potential stabilization force sizes in the tens of thousands and have held talks with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Azerbaijan about possible contributions.
Key point: The new wording in the Security Council draft elevates the discussion of Palestinian statehood to the resolution’s primary text, signaling broader international attention to political outcomes alongside security arrangements in Gaza.