The United Nations Security Council adopted, Monday, for the first time, a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after more than five months of Israeli warfare, with the United States abstaining from using its veto power. The resolution, introduced by the non-permanent members of the Security Council, demands an immediate halt to the hostilities in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for increased aid and the removal of all obstacles to its delivery.
The Algerian representative to the United Nations, Amar Ben Jaafar, stated that the adoption of the resolution sends a message to the people of Gaza that the international community feels their pain and has not abandoned them.
The resolution’s adoption followed the Council’s failure to pass an amendment to the proposal that would include the term “permanent cessation” of hostilities. Last Friday, Russia and China used their veto power to block an American draft resolution that called for a ceasefire “as part of a deal for the release of hostages,” a wording that Arab countries, Moscow, and Beijing described as “politicized and ambiguous.” The United States has historically opposed the term “ceasefire” in United Nations resolutions and has obstructed three texts in this context since the beginning of the war.
Recent ceasefire efforts in Gaza have been marked by complex negotiations and international involvement. Talks in Cairo aimed at establishing a 40-day truce before Ramadan ended without a substantial resolution, despite participation from Hamas, Qatar, and Egypt. Israel did not send a delegation to these talks, which were primarily focused on securing a ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid .
The United Nations has emphasized that a ceasefire in Gaza is in everyone’s interest, noting the dire humanitarian situation that has forced almost half of Gaza’s population into Rafah, exacerbating health and hunger crises. The UN has called for immediate humanitarian access and the release of hostages taken by Hamas during attacks.
Internationally, there has been a mix of reactions to the ceasefire efforts. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, highlighted the broader responsibility of Israeli and Palestinian leaders to address the root causes of the conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed commitment to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in Gaza, emphasizing the equal rights of Palestinians and Israelis to live safely and securely. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other global leaders also expressed their support for the ceasefire and the need for a lasting solution to the conflict.
