UN adopts US plan for Gaza, including line on Palestinian statehood

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday adopted a US-backed draft resolution outlining US President Donald Trump's plans for Gaza's future, including a line that envisions a future Palestinian state. 

The vote came down to 13 members in support, and two abstentions from Russia and China in the 15-member UNSC. There are five permanent members and 10 rotating members. Israel was allowed to sit in on the meeting, but could not vote. 

Israel had made a last-minute push at UN to have the US reverse its language away from any mentions of Palestinian statehood, even if it's merely aspirational. 

The fact that the US ultimately maintained the language on Palestinian statehood signals that the Trump administration is serious about maintaining its cordial ties with key Muslim allies, despite Israel's opposition.

Washington did not initially include a reference to Palestinian self-determination, but made the change to appease Muslim and Arab nations, which it hopes will provide troops for an "International Stabilisation Force" in the enclave.

The resolution, now dubbed UNSC 2803, says that "conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" if the Palestinian Authority (PA) undergoes reforms, and Gaza's redevelopment "has advanced". 

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