Latest Draft Of UN Security Council Resolution On Gaza Calls For Withdrawal Of Israeli Troops To Palestinian Independence

JAKARTA - The latest draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution on the Gaza Strip reportedly also calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops until the independence of the State of Palestine.

The United States has circulated a revised draft UNSC resolution that would authorize a two-year mandate for a transitional government in Gaza, leading to the establishment of an international force to oversee security and demilitarization.

A US mission spokesperson urged the Security Council to seize "this historic moment" and move forward to secure "a much-needed peace."

"Efforts to sow discord now, when an agreement on this resolution is under active negotiation, have serious, real, and entirely avoidable consequences for the Palestinian people in Gaza," the US official said, as reported by The National on November 14.

The draft, obtained by The National, adds explicit language linking progress in Gaza to the political process leading to Palestinian statehood.

The draft states that once the reform program for the Palestinian Authority is "in earnest and the reconstruction of Gaza has progressed, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood."

The draft also requires Washington to "establish a dialogue between Israel and Palestine to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence."

The draft seeks to further strengthen the ceasefire in the resolution, stating that the council "supports the Comprehensive Plan, recognizes the parties' acceptance of it, and calls on all parties to implement it in its entirety, including maintaining the ceasefire, in good faith and without delay."

The proposal further states that it would assign the International Stabilization Force (ISF) to secure Gaza and oversee the demilitarization process.

New wording in the draft clarifies that Israeli forces would withdraw gradually as ISF control expands.

"As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw from the Gaza Strip based on standards, milestones, and a timeframe related to demilitarization to be agreed upon between the IDF, the ISF, the guarantors, and the United States," the text reads.

The text also notes that a limited security perimeter would remain in place "until Gaza is completely secure from any resurgent terror threat."