The resolution calling for a ‘humanitarian truce’ in the United Nations General Assembly was passed (with 121 in favor, 14 against, and 44 abstentions) on October 27, along the United Nations Security Council subsequently passed it under the gaze of the whole world. The Security Council adopted a resolution on November 15, calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and the urgent extension of humanitarian corridors throughout the enclave to save and protect civilian lives. This resolution was adopted after 4 unsuccessful attempts to take action last month, with 12 members voting in favor, none against, 3 abstentions (Russia, UK, USA); this is also the first draft on the Palestinian-Israeli issue passed by the Security Council since 2016 (since the Trump Presidency began).
The four rejected agreements were provided by Brazil, Russia (twice), and the United States. The biggest disagreements among them are as follows: whether Hamas's attack is a terrorist attack (that is, whether Israel's counterattack is a just act of counter-terrorism), whether it condemns attacks on all civilians (or only attacks on Israeli civilians), and whether a humanitarian ceasefire (or pause) should be urged. The adopted draft resolution is more unfavorable to Israel than Brazil’s rejected draft agreement because it does not clearly identify Hamas as a terrorist organization nor condemn its action as terrorist acts, but only "moderately" demands that both parties agree to ‘a humanitarian pause’ rather than a ceasefire. After the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution, all parties in the Security Council made a lot of compromises in order to pass a resolution as soon as possible. As the last speaker at the meeting, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative Brett Jonathan Miller said that the resolution was "out of touch with reality." Yet, he also indicates that if Hamas chooses to lay down its weapons, surrender, and hand over the hostages unharmed, the war will end immediately.
With the adoption of the Security Council's resolution, and with Hamas's successive release of hostages; on November 24, a truce was achieved in Gaza. On the Friday when the truce was implemented (the 24th), 200 trucks departed from the Israeli town of Nizana and headed for the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip; United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reception points in Gaza unloaded the cargo of 137 trucks from there, which is the largest humanitarian convoy received since the start of hostilities on October 7. Additionally, 129,000 liters of fuel and four truckloads of natural gas entered Gaza, and 21 critically ill patients were evacuated from the northern part of the enclave in a massive medical operation.
On the eve of the start of the truce at 7 am on Friday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted an increase in bombings and violent clashes, saying Israeli attacks from the air, land, and sea had intensified across much of Gaza; at the same time, ground fighting broke out between Israel Defense Force and Palestinian armed groups in the northern Gaza, particularly in Jabaliya area, with many casualties reported. Of the 24 hospitals in the pre-war northern region, 22 were out of service or unable to admit new patients, while 8 of the 11 medical facilities in the southern region were still functioning. The WHO said only one of them has the capacity to treat severe trauma cases or perform complex surgeries. It is estimated that more than 1.7 million people are internally displaced in Gaza, with approximately 1 million of them living in more than 150 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) shelters in the Gaza Strip.
It is regrettable to see the antagonism of the Security Council becoming more and more apparent. At least it is gratifying that this mechanism is still working and has brought a slightly belated solution. Such peace is hard-won, and it is unknown how long it will last. As of November 21, a total of 104 UNRWA staff had died on the front line, and at least 40 percent have been killed south of Wadi Gaza. Let us pay tribute to the United Nations personnel who are fighting on the front line for their lives, and rejoice in the hard-won peace.
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