After nearly six months of intense fighting and numerous failed attempts, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally managed to pass a resolution on Monday calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resolution, proposed by the 10 elected members of the council, was supported by 14 UNSC members, with the United States abstaining from voting.
The resolution demands an “immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting, sustainable ceasefire”. It also calls for the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas and emphasizes the importance of humanitarian aid and adherence to international law.
While all UNSC resolutions are considered binding, the US has referred to this particular resolution as non-binding. However, other officials and Security Council members have reiterated that UNSC resolutions are indeed binding and must be followed. Failure to comply can result in punitive action, such as sanctions or the authorization of an international force.
Despite the resolution, it remains uncertain if the conflict will cease immediately. The document calls for a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, but the expected ceasefire period will be short-lived if implemented now. The resolution was altered to remove the term “permanent” to build consensus, but the US has not altered its military aid to Israel and maintains its commitment to Israel’s security.
Differences in opinions among Security Council members, as well as the ongoing conflict dynamics, have added complexity to the resolution’s implementation. The resolution passed on Monday differed from a previous failed resolution which was vetoed by Russia and China. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for any ceasefire demands to be linked to the release of Israeli captives, which the Monday resolution lacked.
Tensions between the US and Israel have been apparent, with Netanyahu cancelling a planned delegation trip to Washington in response to the US abstaining from the UNSC resolution vote. However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is currently in the US for meetings with top officials. Despite the complexities and challenges, the resolution’s implementation is crucial to prevent further escalation and loss of life in Gaza.