The UN Security Council has voted to endorse a US plan aimed at stabilizing Gaza and paving the way for a potential independent Palestinian state. The resolution passed with a 13-0 vote, with Russia and China abstaining. This decision is seen as a critical step in maintaining a fragile ceasefire and addressing the future of Gaza after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The US plan includes the establishment of an international stabilization force to provide security in the region. This force is intended to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza, which involves decommissioning weapons and dismantling military infrastructure. The resolution also supports the creation of a transitional governance body to facilitate reconstruction and economic recovery in Gaza.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has expressed strong opposition to the resolution. In a statement, Hamas declared, "The resolution imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject." The group has reiterated its stance against disarmament, claiming its actions against Israel are legitimate resistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the resolution, viewing it as an opportunity to transform the current ceasefire into a lasting peace. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz emphasized that the resolution outlines a potential pathway for Palestinian self-determination, stating, "It dismantles Hamas' grip, it ensures Gaza rises free from terror's shadow, prosperous and secure."

The resolution also references a future possibility of statehood for the Palestinians, which has sparked controversy in Israel. It states that "conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood" once the Palestinian Authority implements a reform program and Gaza's redevelopment progresses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced opposition to the idea of a Palestinian state, stating that Israel will pursue the demilitarization of Gaza "the easy way or the hard way." The Palestinian Authority has welcomed the resolution and expressed readiness to participate in its implementation, which diplomats say was crucial in preventing a Russian veto.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the resolution's adoption is seen as essential for legitimizing the involvement of countries considering sending troops to Gaza. The outcome of this resolution could significantly impact the region's stability and the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.