Trump’s Gaza plan may be a guise for ‘experiments’ on Palestine: Russia

MOSCOW, Russia (MNTV) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan could be used as a pretext for conducting “experiments” on the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned.

Responding to the recent UN Security Council (UNSC) vote on Trump’s proposal, Zakharova noted the resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, with Russia and China abstaining.

“We hope this decision does not become a facade for uncontrolled experiments on occupied Palestinian territory — turning into a final verdict on the legitimate rights of Palestinians to self-determination, Israeli hopes for security, and prospects for peaceful coexistence in the region,” she said.

The plan centers on establishing a so-called Board of Peace to manage Gaza. Chaired by Trump, the board may include other “authoritative and respected global leaders,” according to his description. It would oversee an International Stabilization Force, which would coordinate with Israel and Egypt and be tasked with peace-enforcement operations, including demilitarization of the enclave and the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups.

Zakharova said the plan sidelines the Palestinian National Administration, excluding it from both governance of the enclave and decisions shaping the Palestinians’ future under the two-state formula.

“The obligations of Israel as the occupying power — including refraining from annexing Palestinian land and withdrawing its forces — are not fixed,” she added.

She also criticized the plan for excluding both the UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat from any supervisory role over the new structures, calling it a departure from “the spirit of genuine peacemaking” and contrary to recognized international legal norms.

Zakharova said Russia’s abstention considered the positions of the Palestinian leadership and the views of Arab and Muslim countries that supported the resolution, as well as the aim of avoiding renewed violence in Gaza.

“The war and suffering of civilians in the enclave could have ended long ago if Washington had not systematically vetoed, six times in the past two years, draft resolutions requiring an immediate ceasefire,” she said.

Turning to regional affairs, Zakharova said any potential military assistance to Iran in the event of an attack by the US or its allies would be governed by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Moscow and Tehran. “Among other things, it stipulates the development of military and military-technical cooperation across a wide spectrum,” she said.

Asked about reports that some Iraqi citizens are fighting in Ukraine, Zakharova said all such details fall under the jurisdiction of the Russian Defense Ministry. “We will redirect your inquiry to our colleagues and connect you with them,” she added.