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Opinion | Gaza war: UN Security Council’s ceasefire demand must not be ignored
- Faced with US ambivalence and Israel’s rejection, the ceasefire demand risks becoming a political footnote
- At the least, council members should organise a humanitarian task force and evolve a plan to implement the spirit of the resolution
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In a politically significant, albeit symbolic development, the UN Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. This is the first ceasefire resolution it has passed since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the brutal reprisals that followed.
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Four previous ceasefire resolutions failed: three were vetoed by the US and one was voted down by China and Russia. The latest resolution had 14 votes in favour; the US abstained.
Despite the many months it took to reach a ceasefire consensus and the thousands of lives lost, the resolution is to be cautiously welcomed – a slender silver lining in the dark clouds above Gaza.
The core demand is for an “immediate ceasefire” for the rest of Ramadan, which ends on April 9, to be “respected by all parties” and “leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire”.
This was rejected by Israel, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to further talks. More importantly, the military offensive by Tel Aviv continues unabated and the US is reported to have authorised the transfer of more arms and ammunition to Israel.
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Clearly, the Security Council resolution has had little effect so far. Israel has vowed to continue the war against Hamas, despite international warnings that it would mean the deaths of more innocent civilians.
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