Palestine welcomes joint statement backing Gaza plan and Israeli withdrawal

The United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Türkiye have issued a joint statement supporting the draft United Nations Security Council resolution currently under consideration.

The text, drafted by Washington after consultations with regional partners, endorses the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict announced on 29 September and reaffirmed in Sharm el-Sheikh. The initiative is described as a pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and a broader regional stabilisation effort.

The State of Palestine welcomed the statement issued on 14 November, calling it an important step toward a permanent ceasefire and a structured political process. Ramallah said any agreement must ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, restore civilian life and accelerate humanitarian assistance.

The Palestinian leadership stressed that the plan should prevent displacement, protect the two-state framework and halt attempts at annexation. It said reconstruction must begin immediately once conditions permit. Palestine also reiterated its readiness to assume full responsibility for governing the Strip, describing Gaza as an integral part of the State of Palestine.

As regional backing for the proposal widens, attention has returned to an earlier discussion that signalled a potential role for Muslim-majority states in Gaza’s post-conflict future.

Weeks ago, Indonesia, Azerbaijan and Pakistan were reported to be in early talks about contributing to an international stabilisation force, according to U.S. officials and reporting by Politico.

The idea was exploratory, but it placed the three countries within the broader debate over who might shoulder responsibility for securing Gaza once a ceasefire takes hold.

Azerbaijan’s approach has remained consistent since. Baku coordinates its position with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and wider Islamic partners, stressing that any participation must rest on international legitimacy and a clear mandate from the United Nations Security Council.

Officials have also underlined that Arab states must first agree on a unified vision for Gaza’s political and security framework before outside actors take on defined roles.

The joint statement comes as diplomatic pressure intensifies around Gaza, with the conflict entering a protracted phase and humanitarian needs continuing to rise.

The U.S.-backed plan is the most comprehensive political framework proposed since the fighting began, combining a ceasefire roadmap, security arrangements and a transition toward governance.

Regional governments have become increasingly vocal in calling for a coordinated international approach, reflecting concerns over spillover risks, displacement and the long term viability of the two state solution.

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