by Adam Rasgon, Catherine Porter and Michael D Shear at Racket News
A draft Security Council resolution said that an international force would ensure that Gaza be demilitarized, though specifics were unclear.
The United States is seeking a mandate of at least two years from the United Nations Security Council for an international stabilization force to be deployed in Gaza, a key element of President Trump’s 20-point plan for a long-term end to the war there.
According to a draft resolution, seen by The New York Times, the force would work with Israel and Egypt to ensure the process of demilitarizing Gaza, including the “permanent decommissioning” of weapons from armed groups. It would also train and support Palestinian police personnel, protect civilians and work to secure humanitarian corridors.
The Times confirmed the contents of the draft resolution with three officials, including two European diplomats. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.
The draft resolution was first reported by the news site Axios.
It was not clear how the international force would ensure that Gaza is demilitarized. Hamas has long regarded giving up all its weapons as tantamount to surrender, with armed struggle against Israel a crucial part of its ideology.
A U.N. Security Council mandate is seen as necessary…
Continue Reading