A Fragile Hope: The UN Resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

By The Graduate Press Editorial Board

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution [Resolution 2728 (2024)] demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan in Gaza. This comes after months of increased escalation of violence in Gaza, with an estimated 100,000 Palestinians killed and maimed. The resolution also emphasised the urgent need for aid in Gaza. This has to be seen in the broader context of the situation in Gaza, where even before the escalation of violence after the 7^th of October by Israel, there has been a lack of access to sufficient resources. 

In this context, one of the key questions raised is whether the UN Resolution offers any relief. UN Resolutions are binding, in line with Article 25 of the United Nations Charter, which states “The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.” However, there have also been several polarising views against the resolution, leading to uncertainty about the ceasefire in Gaza. Only time will determine the efficacy of this approach, but there is a glimmer of hope, albeit faint after the Resolution. 

Since the onset of October, several agencies have raised concerns about not being able to deliver the aid, with the primary issues being related to safety for humanitarian aid workers; logistical issues surrounding the lack of sufficient resources to transport needed materials and slow inspections; inability to distribute resources once it enters Gaza and inadequacy of relevant infrastructure to store and distribute resources. This has exacerbated the plight of the victims in Gaza, compounding the ongoing physical and mental hardships inflicted upon them.

Additionally, there have been several allegations against the UN Relief Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), with Israeli authorities claiming the involvement of several UNRWA employees in the attacks carried out on the 7^th of October. This has also led to suspensions of funding by several countries including the United States, Germany, Japan, and France. However, Japan and France have reinstated the funding, as well as Germany, which has partially reinstated the funding. As of April 22, an Independent Review conducted on the UNRWA revealed that “the Israeli Government has not informed UNRWA of any concerns relating to any UNRWA staff based on these staff lists since 2011”. Additional emphasis was also placed on the crucial role that the UNRWA plays in Gaza, as it is called a humanitarian lifeline.

Given the circumstances, it is paramount to centralise and prioritise the victims. Regardless of the historical context, it is necessary to acknowledge and act against the ongoing inhumanity in Gaza. It is vital to recognize the importance of empathy and support amidst recurring injustices. Irrespective of political beliefs, we have a duty to engage in dialogue and take action to alleviate further suffering to humankind.

The past few months have seen several backlash against engaging in pro-Palestinian activism around the world. Amidst despair and fear, it is essential to assess our obligations to one another and consider our role as observers. It is also true that while some of us are bystanders, others among us are also victims. As the youth, often touted as the “future of humankind”, what actions can we undertake? How do we support one another and demand for a peaceful, safer world?

At the Graduate Institute, it is important to recognise the ongoing efforts by various students and initiatives to stay connected to the issue. One notable example is Raquel Serrano, a first-year student in the Master in International and Development Studies (MINT) program. Raquel played a pivotal role in organising a platform for students enrolled in the Global Issues and Perspectives course to delve into the complexities surrounding the situation in Gaza. The event served as a catalyst for fostering a space for student dialogue on humanitarian crises, and the exchange of interdisciplinary perspectives from the different tracks of the MINT program. The goal was to facilitate connections between individuals in conflict zones, like Gaza, and those situated elsewhere in the world, targeted at raising awareness. Another example is Li, a first-year student in the Master in International and Development Studies program who organised a second-hand stall activity during sustainability week and donated the funds to the “Emergency Relief Fund” of UNICEF.

These examples are indicative of the efforts that we as students, in the heart of International Geneva, can take to ensure we keep the discourse going on issues, not only in Gaza but also about conflicts in other parts of the world. 

Note: This is a developing story, with ceasefire talks currently being carried out in Cairo. Israel has seized the Rafah crossing, which was the focal entry point for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Simultaneously, we have pro-Palestinian student protests in different parts of Switzerland.