The strong factor: The UN Security Council supported the deployment of international forces in Gaza

The UN Security Council has adopted a draft resolution proposed by the United States on the Gaza Strip, proposing to deploy international stabilization forces there and begin a post-war settlement without the participation of Hamas. However, the initiative has already faced harsh criticism from Palestinian factions and objections from Moscow, which has submitted an alternative document aimed at preserving the two-state formula. The final configuration of the international presence in Gaza is still unclear. At the same time, according to media reports, the Central Command of the US Armed Forces has developed its own plan to divide the sector into two zones: the "green" in the east of the exclave, controlled by Israel and the international contingent, will become a reconstruction area, while the "red zone" will remain destroyed.

Hamas rejected the American initiative on Gaza

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution proposed by the United States in support of US President Donald Trump's comprehensive plan to resolve the situation in Gaza. The document was supported by 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council; Russia and China abstained from voting.

The draft provides for the creation of an interim governing body in Gaza, the so—called "peace council," as well as the formation of an international stabilization force with a two-year mandate. The text mentions Palestinian statehood only as a possible prospect after the reforms of the Palestinian Authority and the beginning of the reconstruction of the sector, while the two-State formula does not appear.

After the adoption of the resolution, Donald Trump issued congratulations to the whole world, saying that the decision of the Security Council confirms support for his peace plan and opens up new opportunities for stabilizing the situation in the region.

The Russian side greeted the document with a noticeable degree of skepticism. Russia's permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, called the resolution "another cat in a poke." He stressed that it is fundamentally important for Moscow that the text of the document does not become "a screen for uncontrolled experiments by the United States and Israel" in the occupied Palestinian territory. According to him, the document should not turn into a "verdict" on a two-state solution, which Russia continues to consider the only basis for a sustainable settlement.

The Hamas movement strongly criticized the resolution. It follows from his statement that the transfer of a number of powers within the Gaza strip to international forces "deprives Gaza of neutrality" and actually turns it into a "party to the conflict" in the interests of Israel. Commenting on the reaction of Hamas, the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Mike Waltz, said: "If Hamas rejects this UN resolution, then we are moving in the right direction."

Representatives of the movement claim that the document does not take into account the political and humanitarian needs of the Palestinians, imposes international guardianship and contributes to the realization of Israeli goals — the separation of Gaza from the rest of the Palestinian territory and the undermining of the right to self-determination.

Hamas emphasizes that armed resistance is a legitimate right, and disarmament issues can only be discussed within Palestinian society and only after the occupation ends.

The movement opposes the deployment of international forces in the sector itself, insisting that they can only be located on its borders under the auspices of the United Nations and without the participation of Israel. According to the movement, their functions should be limited to monitoring the ceasefire and providing humanitarian supplies.

Part of Gaza will remain destroyed

At the same time, the British newspaper Guardian reported that the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM) has developed its own plan to divide Gaza into two zones. According to the newspaper's sources, the "green zone" in the east of the exclave, controlled by Israel and the international contingent, will become a reconstruction area, while the "red zone" will remain destroyed. Thus, Washington, according to the newspaper, intends to encourage residents of the "red zone" to move to a safer area after the cease-fire.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip entered into force on October 10. As part of the agreement, the movement has already released all living hostages and is gradually transferring the bodies of the victims.

An expert on Palestinian resistance issues, Hani Salah, told Izvestia that Washington was "directly intervening" in the situation in Gaza in order to advance Israel's interests. According to him, Hamas fulfills its obligations under the first phase of the deal. The bodies of two or three hostages remain in the sector, the search for which is difficult and requires specialized equipment. "The United States is well aware of this," Salah said. He added: Israel violates its obligations on a daily basis, both in terms of allowing humanitarian aid into the sector and in the issue of observing the ceasefire.

Israel fears that its security will now largely depend on international stabilization forces, which will have to take responsibility inside the Gaza Strip and on its borders, Mohammed al-Masri, a security expert, told Izvestia. According to him, negotiations are continuing between the United States and Egypt regarding the choice of a location for the deployment of such forces, and Cairo is expected to play a leading role in this process.

— The alternative Russian draft resolution contained objections to the plan proposed by the United States and would have been more beneficial for the Palestinian side. However, the document did not receive sufficient support among the members of the Security Council and was not adopted," the expert noted.

Despite Washington's active consultations with its partners, the countries of the region are taking a cautious position. Anwar Gargash, the UAE president's diplomatic adviser, said that Abu Dhabi is not considering participating in the stabilization force due to the lack of clear parameters for the future mission. The UAE, he said, will continue to support political efforts, but does not see an opportunity to join the vaguely defined military structure.

Israel, in turn, has already identified the red lines. The official representative of the Cabinet of Ministers, Shosh Bedrosian, ruled out Turkey's participation in the international contingent. Meanwhile, the Axios portal reported that the United States is conducting closed negotiations on the composition of the mission, which may include representatives of Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, as well as units of the Palestinian police. These forces are supposed to be deployed on the borders of the sector with Israel and Egypt.

The final configuration of the international presence in Gaza is still far from being agreed upon, and the vote in the UN Security Council only marked the start of a new round of diplomatic discussions.

As the Guardian reported, citing sources, the CENTCOM regional command has prepared plans suggesting that the core of the international stabilization force will include European contingents, including hundreds of British, French and German troops. In addition, the American side proposed to involve the forces of Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries to organize field hospitals, logistics and intelligence.

At the same time, according to Politico magazine, the main contenders for participation in the future stabilization mission in Gaza are three states outside the Middle East — Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan. According to an unnamed American military official, these countries have expressed the greatest interest in sending their troops.