Nearly six months into the war in the Gaza Strip, with the death toll surpassing 32,000 Palestinians, the United Nations Security Council secured a resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the enclave during Ramadan. The news brought immediate, widespread relief for the long-suffering Gaza, though Israel did not join in the celebrations. The text also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Beyond the initial optimism, questions remain about how enforceable the resolution is and whether it can meaningfully ease the Gazan people’s suffering.
Binding resolution
All Security Council resolutions carry authority, since the council is charged with safeguarding global peace and security. On paper, both sides—Israel and Hamas—are expected to respect a text that demands an immediate but temporary ceasefire and that calls for a durable, sustainable halt to hostilities. To avoid conflict with its ally, the United States ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, clarified that the resolution is not binding. The Palestinian ambassador, Riyad Mansour, countered, arguing that if Israel does not implement Security Council resolutions, the body must take necessary measures to enforce them, possibly under Chapter VII, which permits the use of force.
Clash with Washington
The first casualty of this resolution has been the visit by Netanyahu’s advisers to Washington, aimed at preventing a Rafah invasion in the southern Gaza enclave. Unlike past occasions, the United States did not veto the measure to shield its ally. “Our vote does not signify a shift in our policy,” the White House spokesperson stated. Netanyahu, for his part, said the abstention gives Hamas the impression that international pressure will push Israel toward a ceasefire without hostage releases. Without the agreed call, the impending Rafah invasion, a hub sheltering about 1.4 million Palestinians, might already be underway.
“Israel will continue fighting,”
The political survival of Prime Minister Netanyahu hinges on the war, with polls hinting at electoral setbacks for his party. He frames himself as a strong leader standing up to the international community to safeguard Israel’s security. It would not be the first time Israel has ignored a Security Council resolution. In the past, such resolutions have been sidelined. Today, Israel is reportedly in breach of a text from eight years ago that demanded halting the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank. A public statement from Israel’s Infrastructure and Energy Minister warned that the country will persist in the fight until hostages are safely returned and Hamas is eliminated. The Defense Minister also announced that Israeli troops would reach areas of Gaza not yet visited, clearly signaling Rafah as a likely objective.
The clock is ticking
Israeli leaders have kept their word insofar as recent days have shown continued strikes. In Rafah, ongoing airstrikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and the broader Gazan population faces growing famine-related deaths. The Security Council’s resolution must take effect before Ramadan ends this year, with April 21 set as a deadline by some observers. Countries including Colombia have threatened to cut ties with Israel if the decision is not complied with, urging other nations to follow suit. Israel’s popularity is wavering even among close allies; Germany has publicly questioned the alignment with a long-time friend, urging an end to the catastrophe. “This cannot go on any longer,” asserted Germany’s foreign minister, speaking on the dire famine in Gaza, highlighting the international pressure surrounding the crisis.