Strip of Gaza - Security Council of the UN backs up ceasefire proposal
The UN Security Council has shown support for a multi-step plan to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, proposed by US President Joe Biden. Officially endorsed by the UN's foremost decision-making body, the resolution passage came after support from fourteen member states, while Russia chose to abstain from voting.
This initiative marks the first time the council as a whole has rallied in favor of a specific ceasefire strategy since war broke out. The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, voiced, "Today, we voted for peace."
The document aligns with a proposal from Biden, where offensive engagement in the Gaza Strip would cease in three segments. Thus far, Hamas, an Islamist organization, remains the only party to have refused Biden's call to action. Although no official response was given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it's noted that no clear, public statement has been made regarding their stance.
The resolution carries a call to action for Israel to stand by the plan, as it does, "urge[ing] the Israeli authorities to implement this plan without delay and without conditions."
Six-week weapons cessation
The comprehensive plan devised by Biden in late May suggests a ceasefire of six-week duration. During this time, hostages held by Hamas would be released upon the agreement of Palestinian prisoners being released from Israeli imprisonment. Next, the goal would be to announce the cessation of any further clashes. Finally, in the third phase, initiatives for Gaza Strip rebuilding would be put into motion.
Al-Jazeera reported in the evening that following the council's resolution, Hamas had extended their positive outlook toward ceasefire negotiations. However, this does not fully accept the multi-phase plan.
The EU backed this initiative and urged an immediate implementation of the plan. As EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell said in the evening, "We fully support the comprehensive plan presented by Biden."
Council's eleventh response to the crisis
This was the eleventh time the UN Security Council had tackled a resolution on the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Of the eleven resolutions proposed, four of them had been put into effect.
The newly passed resolution stresses the importance of adhering to the tangible vision of a two-state solution. This allows Israelis and Palestinians the opportunity to cohabitate in peace. To achieve this, the West Bank and Gaza Strip must be jointly governed by the Palestinian Autonomous Authority. As of now, Israel opposes this.
The Gaza War ignited unexpectedly on October 7th when terrorists from Hamas and extremist groups assaulted southern Israel. Consequently, over 1200 people met their demise and more than 250 hostages were captured. This outbreak of violence allegedly killed over 37,000 citizens in the Gaza Strip and led to injuries for an estimated 84,500 more. These statistics do not delineate combatants from civilians.
The Israeli Army's response to this situation in the Gaza Strip has garnered international criticism, specifically for its involvement in civilian casualties. Aid organizations have reported a catastrophic humanitarian situation, affecting upward of two million people in the region.
