France submitted a comprehensive draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on Monday, urging for potential U.N. monitoring of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip while presenting measures to aid Palestinian authority in assuming responsibilities. French U.N. Ambassador, Nicolas de Rivière, did say that the project would be an ambitious one that would take significant time and effort.
Details of the Resolution and the Role of Other Members
The draft resolution calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. Additionally, it demands prompt and unconditional release of all individuals currently held hostage in Gaza. The document will need at least 9 votes in favour and no vetoes by the other four permanent members: The USA, Britain, China and Russia.
The draft resolution explicitly condemns the 7 October, 2023 attacks by Hamas who seized control of the Gaza from Palestinian authority in 2007. Efforts to resolve the immediate conflict co-exist with international pressure for a two-state solution, wherein Israel and Palestine would both function independently. The urgency in need of providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, where living conditions have deteriorated drastically, appears to be central to the resolution.
Notably, the USA, a key ally of Israel, abstained from a previous vote in support of an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramzan. This resolution was not implemented by the conflicting parties. Global food security experts have warned of imminent famine in certain parts of Gaza, worsened by the displacement of more than three-quarters of its population and extensive damage to infrastructure. The absence of a tangible solution perpetuated the conflict to a point where sporadic truces, including the release of a limited number of captives, seems to be the only respite, albeit temporary.
Context and Death Toll
The origins of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War can be traced back to 7 October, 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading in widespread casualties and capture of hostages. This was followed by counter-operations by Israel which involved aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip followed by a large-scale ground invasion. The latest casualty figures report the deaths of 32845 people in Gaza and 1139 people in Israel.
