Stop the war: On the U.N. Security Council’s call for a Gaza ceasefire

Five and a half months after Israel began attacking Gaza, 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and 74,000 injured; More than 90% of the enclave's population was displaced and almost during the hunger crisis, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had called for the "immediate halt" and full release of those detained by Hamas on 25 March. The USA, which had previously vetoed all United Nations resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, abstained from the vote, indicating a change in the Biden administration. All other members of the UN Security Council also adopted the resolution, including Britain, which until recently had resisted calls to escalate the conflict. Israel responded angrily, canceling a planned visit to Washington by two of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's council aides and criticizing the decision backed by China and Russia for not banning the release of criminals. But behind the anger and opposition lurks Israel's weakness. Israeli officials have repeatedly said in recent weeks that they were about to occupy the southern city of Rafah, where about 1.4 million Palestinians are imprisoned. After 14 members of the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire, Israel's attack on Rafah was unnecessary and could have led to further casualties.

The latest war was sparked when Hamas crossed the border on October 7, killing at least 1,200 Israelis. That day, the Israelites received sympathy and solidarity from all over the world. But what Israel did over the next few months was to punish the entire population of Gaza for what Hamas had done, leading to international protests. If Israel focuses on this situation, it must immediately comply with UN Security Council resolutions and declare conflict. The October 7 attack was a major intelligence and security failure in itself. Netanyahu needs to be held accountable. Instead of doing this, he threw himself into war without achieving any goals. After months of fighting, Israel has destroyed much of Gaza but has not yet destroyed Hamas or freed the hostages. The long-running war has increased discord in Netanyahu's cabinet. The president is very unpopular and his allies are fighting each other. The war also isolated Israel and strained relations with allies, including the United States. If Israel continues the war without a clear vision, the internal and external challenges it faces will increase, as well as the loss of life. In the Gaza area, many Palestinians are under siege, fighting, fighting and being bombed. Mr. Netanyahu faces two options. He could get the UN Security Council's message and stop the war and allow emergency aid to Gaza.