(Image via news.un.org)

Staff Writer: Denise Badilla

Email: dbadilla@umassd.edu

On March 25th, 170 days into the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the United Nations Security Council finally passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the duration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan after months of deadlock.

Israel’s military operation, which has been amplified and ongoing since October 7th, has resulted in over 32,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children. Their relentless warfare has also displaced about 1.7 million people and left widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip. 

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, during his recent visit to the region, called the conditions in Gaza “a moral outrage” and urged for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow essential aid to reach the population.

The passing of Resolution 2728 comes after the Security Council’s failure in four previous attempts to address the Gaza crisis. The resolution’s adoption is significant, especially considering the intense negotiations among council members. 

The resolution passed with fourteen votes in favor and one abstention from the United States. It demands that all parties involved respect an immediate ceasefire. This breakthrough marks the first unanimous approval by all Security Council members regarding a resolution to the Gaza crisis.

It also marks the first time the United States has not used their vetoing power, as they had done during the last three attempts at calling for the ceasefire. The country’s UN Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, cited the failure to explicitly condemn Hamas as a reason for disagreeing with the proposed resolution, which led to the decision of abstention. 

The decision by the U.S. to abstain from the resolution also comes at a time of heightened tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli government. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been reluctant to comply with international calls for greater humanitarian access to Gaza, where experts warn of an impending famine. 

Additionally, Netanyahu has disregarded warnings from the Biden administration against launching a ground invasion on Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, where more than one million Palestinians are seeking shelter.

Netanyahu consequently canceled Biden’s invitation of the Israeli delegation to Washington DC after the passing of the resolution, as it was what he warned would happen if the US did not veto the ceasefire for the fourth time.

Apart from the ceasefire, resolution 2728 also calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian access to address the needs of those affected. 

In addition to the Security Council’s action, diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States that aimed to reach a cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and an increase in the provision of humanitarian aid were acknowledged.

The resolution recognizes these ongoing diplomatic initiatives and emphasizes that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law.

While the resolution marks significant progress toward peace for the Palestinian people, challenges remain in terms of effectively carrying out the terms for the ceasefire, as well as getting humanitarian aid delivered as soon as possible. 

The Security Council, through this resolution, has reiterated its condemnation of attacks against civilians, violence, and acts of terrorism. It is crucial for all parties to adhere to these demands to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict.

As the holy month of Ramadan progresses, the world watches with cautious optimism. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with millions of lives affected by the conflict. The international community’s continued attention and action will be crucial in bringing lasting peace and stability to the region.