France introduced a proposed draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on Monday, aiming to explore options for the UN to monitor a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to support the Palestinian Authority in taking on governance responsibilities.
French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere described the initiative as a significant but time-consuming effort.
For the resolution to pass, it must garner at least nine affirmative votes and avoid any vetoes from the other permanent members of the Security Council, which include the United States, Britain, Russia, and China.
The proposal urges an immediate halt to hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. It also calls for the prompt and unconditional release of all individuals currently held hostage in Gaza by Hamas or any other groups.
Despite the United States abstaining from a vote last month that sought an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan and the release of all hostages, these conditions have not been met by the conflicting parties. A brief truce and the release of some hostages occurred in November.
The conflict escalated on October 7th following an attack by Hamas, during which 1,200 people were killed and 253 were taken hostage, as reported by Israeli figures.
In response, Israel initiated a comprehensive blockade on Gaza and carried out air and ground assaults, resulting in over 32,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
The draft resolution specifically denounces the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which had previously taken control from the Palestinian Authority in Gaza in 2007.
In addition to seeking an end to the current conflict, there is growing international demand for renewed efforts towards achieving a two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The resolution emphasizes the urgency of reaching a negotiated settlement through definitive and irreversible steps towards a two-state solution, ensuring the peaceful cohabitation of the democratic states of Israel and Palestine.
It also highlights the necessity for a substantial delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilians in Gaza, amidst warnings from a leading food security authority about the looming threat of famine in the region, where the conflict has displaced over three-quarters of the 2.3 million inhabitants and left vast areas devastated.
