IRIA News

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution endorsing a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending Israel’s eight-month assault on Gaza. The vote on June 10, 2024, resulted in a 14-0 decision, with Russia abstaining, signaling broad international support for the initiative despite some reservations.

The resolution welcomes a three-phase ceasefire plan announced by U.S. President Joe Biden last month. This plan outlines a structured approach to cease hostilities and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Phase One: The initial phase calls for a six-week ceasefire and the exchange of captives. Specifically, Israeli captives held in Gaza would be swapped for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails. This phase also mandates the safe and scaled distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. Biden highlighted that this phase would involve sending 600 trucks with aid into Gaza each day.

Phase Two: This phase includes establishing a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining captives. It requires the agreement of both Israel and Hamas and involves the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Phase Three: The final phase focuses on a comprehensive reconstruction effort for Gaza. It includes a multi-year plan to rebuild the infrastructure devastated by the conflict and ensures the return of the remains of any deceased hostages to their families.

NEWS: UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for full & immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution also calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages. https://t.co/pJSWyktS2v pic.twitter.com/sl2kvTKy8a

— United Nations (@UN) June 10, 2024

The U.S. claims that Israel has accepted the proposal, although some Israeli officials have stated their intention to continue the war until Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza, is eliminated.

Reactions and Statements

Hamas welcomed the resolution. In a statement following the vote, Hamas expressed its readiness to cooperate with mediators and enter indirect negotiations to implement the agreement’s principles.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, emphasized the significance of unified support from all 15 UNSC members for what he described as “the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war.” This collective backing, he noted, was crucial for maintaining momentum towards a peaceful resolution.

The international community has largely welcomed the UNSC’s resolution, viewing it as a significant step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and paving the way for long-term peace. However, the reactions from key regional players have been mixed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent ceasefire before dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities was unacceptable. Netanyahu’s government has maintained a hardline stance, focusing on the complete elimination of Hamas as a precondition for any long-term peace.

This stance reflects broader Israeli concerns about security and the threat posed by Hamas. The group’s military capabilities and governance in Gaza have been longstanding points of contention, complicating peace efforts. Netanyahu’s resistance to the proposal highlights the deep divisions within Israeli politics and society regarding the best approach to achieving lasting peace and security.

Past efforts

The UNSC adopted a resolution on March 25, demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended on April 9, with the U.S. abstaining. However, the offensive continued unabated, underscoring the challenges of enforcing ceasefires in the region.

Biden’s May 31 announcement of the new ceasefire proposal detailed that it would begin with a six-week ceasefire and the exchange of captives, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes. This structured approach aims to build trust and create conditions conducive to more enduring peace.

The resolution specifies that even if negotiations for phase one extend beyond six weeks, the ceasefire will persist as long as talks continue. This clause is designed to ensure that humanitarian aid continues to flow and that the ceasefire is maintained even amid protracted negotiations.

Long-term vision

The current resolution reiterates the UNSC’s commitment to achieving a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully within secure and recognized borders. This vision aligns with longstanding international efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations and mutual recognition.

It also emphasizes the importance of unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, a stance not agreed upon by Netanyahu’s right-wing government. The division between Gaza, governed by Hamas, and the West Bank, administered by the Palestinian Authority, has been a significant barrier to peace efforts. Reunifying these territories under a single administration is seen as a crucial step toward a viable and cohesive Palestinian state.

However, significant challenges remain. The deeply entrenched mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, the political fragmentation within Palestinian leadership, and the broader regional dynamics all complicate the path to peace. Additionally, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires immediate and sustained international support to alleviate the suffering of its residents and rebuild its infrastructure.

The UNSC’s adoption of the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal marks a hopeful yet cautious step towards ending the violence in Gaza and addressing the long-term issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the resolution’s implementation faces significant obstacles, it represents a concerted effort by the international community to foster peace and stability in a region that has long been plagued by conflict.

As the world watches, the success of this initiative will depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise and the sustained support of the international community to ensure that peace efforts are realized and that the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s residents are met.