UN approves US plan authorising international stabilisation force in Gaza

The vote was a crucial next step for the fragile ceasefire and efforts to outline Gaza’s future following two years of war between Israel and Hamas

The vote took place amid hopes that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire would be maintained (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The UN Security Council has approved a US plan for Gaza that authorises an international stabilisation force to provide security in the devastated territory and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.

Russia, which had circulated a rival resolution, abstained along with China on the 13-0 vote.