Smoke rises in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 30, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

As Hamas intensified its crackdown on the Gazan population, Russia rejected a US proposal for an international force in the enclave to implement Washington’s peace plan, deepening uncertainty for the region’s future.

On Thursday, Russia rejected a draft resolution sent by the United States last week to the United Nations Security Council which calls for the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza to remain for at least two years.

Washington publicly called on members of the UN Security Council to back its resolution to create an international peacekeeping force aimed at stabilizing post-war Gaza, which has been devastated by two years of fighting between Hamas and Israel.

“We urge the Security Council to seize this historic moment to pave a path towards enduring peace in the Middle East by supporting this resolution,” US officials said in a statement.

Under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the ISF will oversee the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and train local security forces.

However, the US proposal is facing opposition from Russia and China — both veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council — who have rejected the resolution, citing concerns over the proposed board to temporarily govern the war-torn enclave and the absence of any transitional role for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Based on the proposed draft resolution, participating countries in the international force would be granted a broad mandate to maintain security and administer Gaza through the end of 2027, with the possibility of extending the mission.

In recent weeks, Washington has been working closely with regional powers to determine the composition of the peacekeeping force.

According to the draft resolution, the ISF would include troops from multiple participating countries and would be responsible for securing Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, while also protecting civilians and maintaining humanitarian corridors.

In addition, the ISF would seemingly be expected to take on the responsibility of disarming Hamas — a key component of Trump’s peace plan to end the war in Gaza, which the Palestinian terror group has repeatedly rejected.

As negotiations over the draft continue, Russia and China are pushing for the full removal of the proposed “Board of Peace,” a body chaired by Trump and charged with overseeing Gaza’s redevelopment, and stronger guarantees for the future establishment of a Palestinian state.

Russia has put forward its own draft UN resolution, directly challenging the US initiative, according to Reuters.

“The objective of our draft is to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” Russia’s UN mission said in a statement. 

According to media reports, the main points of dispute involved the roadmap to an independent Palestinian state and the timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

After incorporating some proposed changes, the revised US draft includes provisions stating that once the PA’s internal reforms 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,” the resolution also adds.

As the US sought support for its resolution, Washington warned that any “attempts to sow discord” would have “grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza.”

Countries have not yet publicly committed troops to the ISF, with most waiting for clarity on the expectations and responsibilities associated with such involvement.

On Friday, Indonesia confirmed it has trained up to 20,000 troops to carry out health and construction-related tasks during post-war efforts in Gaza.

“We’ve prepared a maximum of 20,000 troops, but the specifications will revolve around health and construction,” Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said during a press conference. “We are waiting for further decisions on Gaza peace action.”

Meanwhile, the European Union is reportedly considering a plan to train a 3,000-member Palestinian police force to help maintain security in the war-torn enclave, with discussions scheduled for next week at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

If approved, the EU would take the lead in training and supporting a local Palestinian security force, with financial backing from the PA.

Last week, the United Arab Emirates said it will not take part in the proposed international stability force in Gaza, explaining that it does not yet see a clear framework. Officials noted Abu Dhabi would continue to support political efforts toward peace and remain a provider of humanitarian aid.

One major point of contention has been the role of Turkey, a key longtime backer of Hamas. While Turkey has made preparations to deploy a peacekeeping force to Gaza, Israel has adamantly opposed the idea, viewing the presence of Turkish troops near its border as a security threat,

As the international community works to determine the next steps for the ceasefire and Gaza’s post-war future, Hamas is seeking to expand its control and influence across the enclave.

Since the ceasefire went into effect, Hamas terrorists have brutally cracked down on all rivals and dissenters, with videos emerging of rampant torture and public executions in the streets.

Now, the Palestinian terrorist group is tightening its control in Gaza by monitoring all goods entering Hamas-held areas and imposing fees on certain privately imported items, according to Reuters.

Hamas violently seized total control of Gaza in 2007 after being elected to power in parliamentary elections the prior year. Under the current ceasefire, the terrorist group controls 47 percent of Gaza’s territory, compared to 53 percent controlled by the Israeli military. However, the vast majority of the population is located in the half suffering under Hamas’s crackdown.