Any potential stabilization force for Gaza would need Security Council approval, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said during a press conference in Doha, United Nations (UN) reported. He was speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in the Qatari capital, where he stressed that any transition in Gaza must uphold unity with the West Bank and a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
Guterres was asked about coordination with Israel and US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which includes deploying a temporary international stabilization force to the enclave. The Secretary-General said the UN is actively engaged in making sure humanitarian aid increases dramatically in Gaza and reaches the entire population. The US has helped push Israel to progressively remove some of the obstacles blocking aid delivery.
He stressed the UN’s positions have been very clear and are not dependent on cooperating with any particular country. The ceasefire must hold, all parties must abide by it, there must be a link between Gaza and the West Bank in how the next stage is set up, and this needs to lead to a two-State solution and recognition of an independent Palestinian State.
The US is drafting a Security Council resolution on Gaza in consultation with other members, though the UN Secretariat is not involved in the discussions. “What we believe is that whatever entity that is created in Gaza should have the legitimacy of a mandate from the Security Council,” Guterres said. He added it would be important to have the training and formation of a Palestinian police force.
Meanwhile, humanitarians continue scaling up operations across Gaza. Since resuming general food distributions on October 13, nearly one million people—half the population—have received assistance through 46 distribution points. Partners picked up 80 truckloads of supplies on Sunday, including food, animal fodder, shelter materials, winter clothing, and hygiene items.
