TANZANIA – The United States is pushing for a United Nations mandate to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza. However, this proposal is encountering resistance from Russia, China, and several Arab nations. These countries are concerned about a proposed temporary governing board for the region and the exclusion of the Palestinian Authority in any transitional role.

Russia and China, both holding veto power on the U.N. Security Council, have objected to the inclusion of the “Board of Peace” outlined in former President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan. Four U.N. diplomats, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, revealed these countries are advocating for the board’s removal from the proposal.

The latest draft of the resolution, seen by The Associated Press on Wednesday, retains the proposal for the board but also emphasizes a stronger commitment to Palestinian self-determination, as per U.S. intentions.

Though negotiations between nations often involve extensive discussions and changes in wording, the resistance to the transitional board highlights significant disagreements between the U.S. and other influential U.N. members after more than two years of conflict.

Conversely, some diplomats stress the importance of swift action to preserve the momentum towards peace. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has underscored the necessity of immediate passage, urging that the resolution be approved “right away.”

“I think we’re making good progress on the language of the resolution, and hopefully we’ll have action on it very soon,” he told reporters Wednesday before departing a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. “We don’t want to lose momentum on this.”

UN Security Council members sought changes to the US proposal

The U.S. first circulated a draft resolution last week to the 15 members of the Security Council that would give a broad international mandate to the stabilization force to provide security in Gaza through the end of 2027, working with the yet-to-be-established Board of Peace. Arab and other countries that have expressed interest in participating in the force have indicated that such a mandate is necessary for them to contribute troops.

Russia, China and Algeria voiced their opposition to that draft, and all but two of the other Security Council members submitted amendments, one of the diplomats said.

The sticking points surrounded the pathway to an independent Palestinian state and timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, according to two of the diplomats. The new draft this week responds to objections that the resolution didn’t envision a future independent Palestinian state — but without absolutes.

It says after reforms to the Palestinian Authority are “faithfully carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced, the conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.

US makes changes but keeps transitional authority

The new draft adds that as the stabilization force “establishes control and stability,” the Israeli military will withdraw from the Gaza Strip. It reiterates that the step would be based on “standards, milestones and timeframes linked to demilitarization and agreed” by Israel, the stabilization force, the U.S. and others.

The United Arab Emirates, a major U.S. ally in the peace negotiations, said publicly this week that it does not yet see a clear framework for the proposed stabilization force in Gaza and, under the current circumstances, will not take part in it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and a Gaza governed by the Palestinian Authority, which runs pockets of the West Bank. But the language in Trump’s plan seems to encourage a role for a Palestinian state.

Other countries on the Security Council have asked for further clarification on the Board of Peace, including who will be on it and how it will operate. The new draft did not make big changes regarding the board.

Some countries push quick action to preserve momentum

Some council members say swift adoption of any proposal with the U.N. stamp of approval would be wise to keep up with the positive momentum on the ground, one diplomat said.

That diplomat and others said the Americans could get frustrated with the negotiations and decide to go forward unilaterally with a force from willing countries that would not have U.N. backing.

A U.S. official, speaking Thursday on condition of anonymity to discuss private negotiations, expressed some of those frustrations, saying every day spent negotiating “is a day that risks a return to fighting and suffering.”

The U.S. likely has three options going forward, another diplomat said:

— Accept some meaningful amendments.

— Put its draft to a vote, needing nine votes to pass and no veto by any of the Security Council’s permanent members: Russia, China, France, Britain and the U.S.

— Bring together nations in a “coalition of the willing” outside the U.N. to take on and fund the stabilization of Gaza.

Whether Russia or China would veto a new draft if the U.S. puts it to a vote without significant changes is uncertain.

The same diplomat said Moscow and Beijing had sought more than half the draft gutted and only want the stabilization force and for it to report to the Security Council.

Some details of the US draft resolution

The current draft calls for the force to ensure “the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.” A big question in Trump’s 20-step plan for a ceasefire and reconstruction in the territory is how to disarm Hamas, which has not fully accepted that step.

The text says the stabilization troops would help secure border areas, along with a Palestinian police force that they have trained and vetted, as well as coordinate with other countries to secure the flow of humanitarian assistance. It calls for the force to closely consult and cooperate with neighboring Egypt and Israel.

It emphasizes the “full resumption” of aid to Gaza by the United Nations, Red Cross and Red Crescent and ensuring that those needed supplies are not diverted.