Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has stated that the country will continue its military operations in Gaza regardless of international support. This declaration comes amid intense scrutiny over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The United Nations General Assembly, reflecting global concern, has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. US President Joe Biden, in his strongest remarks yet, expressed that Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza is leading to a loss of international support.
Despite ongoing intense fighting and the exacerbation of conditions due to heavy rains, particularly for the displaced people living in harsh circumstances, Israel remains steadfast in its stance. Cohen warned that a ceasefire at this juncture would be advantageous to Hamas, allowing them to regroup.
The conflict, which escalated following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties. The Hamas-run health ministry reports over 18,600 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children.
At the emergency UN General Assembly session, 153 member states supported a non-binding resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. However, eight states, including Israel and the United States, opposed the resolution, with key allies like the UK and Germany abstaining.
The resolution was proposed after the US vetoed a binding resolution at the UN Security Council, citing that an immediate ceasefire would benefit Hamas.
Amidst growing international pressure and internal debates over the conduct of the offensive, key discussions and decisions loom. Notably, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war’s timeline and future strategy.
As the conflict continues, with both Israel and Hamas sustaining casualties, the situation underscores the complexity and challenges in achieving a sustainable resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The need for a ceasefire and the consideration of long-term peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis remain pressing issues on the international stage.
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