The United Nations Security Council met in New York this week to address “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,” amid mounting concerns over the durability of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The truce, in place for just over two years since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, has reduced large-scale hostilities but remains fragile, with both sides trading accusations of violations.
A Precarious Ceasefire
The ceasefire framework, backed by Washington and endorsed by key Arab mediators, required Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for phased prisoner releases and a halt to Israeli military operations. While the agreement has allowed for increased humanitarian access into Gaza, sporadic rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes have continued, each side blaming the other for undermining the deal.
UN Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov told the Council that the ceasefire represents “a momentous but precarious juncture,” warning that without sustained international support for reconstruction and aid delivery, Gaza risks sliding back into violence. The International Court of Justice has also reaffirmed Israel’s obligation under international law to ensure that civilians in Gaza have access to food, water, and medical supplies UN News UN News.
Humanitarian and Political Dimensions
More than 68,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since the conflict began, according to UN estimates The Conversation. Large parts of Gaza City remain in ruins, with famine still looming in some areas. Aid agencies stress that while the ceasefire has eased conditions, the humanitarian situation remains dire.
Politically, the truce has exposed divisions within the Security Council. The United States has repeatedly vetoed resolutions calling for a permanent ceasefire, insisting that any lasting settlement must address Israel’s security concerns and Hamas’s disarmament Aljazeera. Other Council members, including Algeria and Brazil, have pressed for stronger international guarantees to protect civilians and accelerate reconstruction.
Calls for Renewed Diplomacy
Secretary-General António Guterres urged Council members to seize the opportunity to push for a broader political settlement, including renewed efforts toward a two-state solution. “The legitimacy of this Council depends on its ability to act decisively in the face of human suffering,” he said.
While the ceasefire has brought a measure of calm after two years of devastating war, the Council acknowledged that without deeper political engagement, the truce risks becoming another temporary pause in a cycle of recurring violence.
Sources: UN News UN News UN News; Security Council Report Security Council Report; The Conversation The Conversation; Al Jazeera Aljazeera.
