British Foreign Minister David Cameron stated that during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he presented a plan to transition from the temporary ceasefire to allow aid entry and the release of hostages towards a permanent ceasefire. Cameron explained through a tweet on his “X” account that the plan aims for a long-term political solution, including the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The current situation in Gaza is extremely dire and marked by intense conflict and humanitarian crisis. The Israeli army’s attacks in Gaza have been devastating, resulting in a high number of casualties. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the death toll since October 7, 2024, has reached over 25,000 with more than 60,317 wounded. This includes a significant number of children and civilians. In one instance, an overnight Israeli army attack on a house in Rafah killed 14 Palestinians, including a two-year-old girl.
International efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza have been ongoing and intense. Several countries and international organizations have been actively involved in calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, which has been experiencing a devastating conflict for about four months.
The UN Security Council has seen active participation from several countries in demanding a halt to the ongoing conflict. Countries like Norway, Belgium, Russia, and China have voiced strong concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They have emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, highlighting issues such as hunger, insufficient healthcare services, and lack of access to clean water.
There have been calls for respecting international humanitarian law, non-targeting of civilians, and the opening of all crossings to ensure the passage of humanitarian aid without obstacles. The Chinese and Russian representatives particularly stressed the importance of ending the war as soon as possible to prevent further escalation in the region.
In a similar vein, the UN General Assembly has also been deeply involved. A resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was adopted, emphasizing the need to comply with international law and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The resolution highlights the dire situation in Gaza, pointing out the breakdown of humanitarian systems and profound disrespect for both international law and humanitarian law. The need for urgent and sustained attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza was underscored, with a focus on providing civilians with desperately needed food, water, shelter, and medical care.
Moreover, the UN Human Rights Office has repeatedly highlighted Israel’s recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. They have urged the Israeli Defense Forces to take immediate measures to protect civilians and end arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment, and enforced disappearance of Palestinians in Gaza. The OHCHR has also highlighted the desperate scenario in northern Gaza, where people face dire shortages of food, water, and other basic items.
