UN Security Council Passes a Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza as Devastation in the Area Perpetuates

By: C. Paixão

After thousands of deaths and many more injured as a result of the war between Israel and Hamas, the United States decided to draft a new UN Security Council resolution calling for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza, and as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has phrased it, “[…] tied to the release of hostages”. The resolution was drafted at a Brussels summit in recent weeks.   
  
The proposal includes a six-weeks-long ceasefire as well as the release of individuals deemed vulnerable being held hostage by Hamas soldiers, which includes “the sick, the wounded, the elderly and women” as stated by the US official.   
  
The UN resolution draft was only recently brought to light, which included the US’ statement that the ceasefire was “imperative” as well as that indisputable support should be given by countries and individuals towards the hostage release negotiations.   
  
In the past weeks, disagreements regarding the resolution have risen between countries. During the voting, two permanent members of the Council, China and Russia, vetoed the drafted resolution. China’s UN ambassador, Zhang Jun, criticised the resolution, stating that the text proposed by the US “did not clearly state its opposition to a planned military operation by Israel in Rafah”, and proceeded to talk about the severe consequences. The Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia agreed with China and added that the resolution drafted by the US included the word “imperative” to appeal to the Council and try to “sell a product”. Nebenzia declared that “this is not enough” and they must “demand a ceasefire”. The Ambassador expanded on that idea and accused the US leadership of “deliberately misleading the international community”.   


Despite being blocked by Russia, China and Algeria, 11 Council members have voted in favour of the ceasefire, including three permanent members: the United States, United Kingdom and France. Therefore, with the majority of votes in favour, the Council passed and adopted the resolution.   


The resolution urges all parties and countries to allow and ease the unhindered and quicker passage of civilians who are now in deep misery because of the mass killings, famine and shortages of supplies. Furthermore, it also emphasises its concern regarding the ground offensive into Rafah, which will possibly lead to the further displacement of civilians and create even more terror. Additionally, it rejects any Israeli attempt to change demographic and territorial areas in Gaza.   


Throughout the war, over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and many more have been wounded, including newborns, children, women and elderly people. Specialists who have been providing information to the public and helping the population, such as journalists, doctors and surgeons, have been taken hostage, interrogated and even killed by Israeli forces. 21 individuals were killed by the recent Israeli airstrike on an apartment bloc in central Gaza. The extreme shortage of resources has led to hospitals lacking around 40% of essential supplies and medicine, nearly 96% of water not being fit for drinking due to lack of sanitation and electricity being available only occasionally.   
​

Hamas has accepted and welcomed the resolution and is said to be ready for an exchange of hostages and prisoners with Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening to go against the administration's approach by using his political influence in the US and his close ties to the Republican party. Netanyahu promised to move forward with a Rafah operation during a 45-minute phone meeting with Republican senators on Wednesday.