Context-

The United Nations (UN) has encountered significant challenges in its role as a global governance body, particularly in addressing conflicts and maintaining peace and security. This analysis focuses on the UN's response to the Gaza War, shedding light on the issues and challenges faced in attempting to resolve the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The geopolitical interests of member countries have played a crucial role in shaping the UN's conflict resolution efforts, leading to a complex and divisive scenario.

UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions: A Divided Approach

Brazil's Proposal and US Veto

On October 18, 2023, Brazil proposed a resolution at the UNSC aiming for a "humanitarian pause" in the Gaza War. Despite receiving support from 12 UNSC members, the resolution was vetoed by the United States. The main point of contention was the absence of acknowledgment of Israel's right to self-defense, as outlined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This episode underscored the deep divides within the UNSC.

Jordan's Proposal at UNGA

Following the US veto, Jordan presented a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on October 26, 2023. The resolution called for an "immediate, durable, and sustainable humanitarian truce," emphasizing the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the wake of Israel's counter-offensive. The resolution garnered overwhelming support with 120 votes in favor, revealing a substantial majority in favor of a ceasefire. However, it lacked legal binding.

Malta's Resolution: Addressing Hostages in Gaza

Malta introduced a Resolution on November 16, 2023, addressing the dire situation of children held hostage in the Gaza War. While the resolution urged urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors, it did not condemn Israel's actions or Hamas attacks. The UNSC approved the resolution with 12 votes in favor, showcasing the delicate balancing act required to garner support from P-5 members.

UNGA's Resolution on Protection of Civilians

On December 12, 2023, the UNGA passed a resolution demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire," the release of hostages, and ensuring humanitarian access. The resolution received significant support with 153 votes in favor, but notable countries, including the US and Israel, voted against it. This emphasized the divergence of opinions within the international community on addressing the conflict's root causes.

UAE's Resolution: A Delicate Balance

The UAE proposed a Resolution on December 22, 2023, emphasizing urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza. Notably, the resolution did not demand an immediate end to the fighting. The voting process was marked by delays and negotiations, reflecting the complexities involved. Despite abstentions from Russia and the US, the resolution was adopted, further highlighting the challenges in achieving a unified stance within the UNSC.

Ineffectiveness of UNSC and Continued Conflict

1) Disagreement among the major powers: With the major powers developing severe differences, it has made it impossible for the UN with its frozen membership of decision-making bodies, such as the UNSC, to be able to undertake any meaningful action.

2) Unipolarity due to lack of a counterbalancing power: The end of the Cold War saw the demise of the Soviet Union and chaos. Post the Cold War, we saw a gradual decline in the ability of the UN to undertake any kind of meaningful role (in resolving conflicts). That was when the USA and their allies were able to proceed as they wanted.

3) Issues with the Veto Power: The UNSC, in its present veto model, does not provide any hope for addressing any international issue, since the national interests of the permanent 5 are in conflict.

4) Myth of the Liberal international order: During the Cold War, we had a liberal Western order led by the USA, not an international order.

For instance, the USA’s actions in Afghanistan and then in Iraq reflected the ineffectiveness of the UN and the USA did what it wanted. There was no UN sanction to any of these conflicts

5) Denial of Opportunity: It denies opportunities to other states such as India, which is highly populous, have a great share in the world economy, or contributions in kind to the UN (like participation in peacekeeping operations) have helped shape the evolution of world affairs, highlight the need for UNSC reforms.

Humanitarian Pause: Outside UN Mediation

As the UNSC faced deadlock over a "permanent ceasefire," the escalating humanitarian crisis prompted Egypt, Qatar, and the US to mediate a "humanitarian pause" outside the UN. The agreement reached on November 24, 2023, lasted only seven days. During this period, Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners in a temporary truce. However, the pause was short-lived, with accusations exchanged between the parties, revealing the fragility of external mediation efforts.

Ongoing Conflict and Regionalization

Despite international efforts, the conflict between Hamas and Israel persisted, with Israel indicating its determination to achieve specific goals. The Gaza War expanded, with continued air strikes causing further casualties. The deadlock at the UNSC, coupled with the mounting humanitarian crisis, contributed to the regionalization of the conflict. The failure to prevent this regionalization raised concerns about the UN's efficacy in maintaining peace and security.

What is India’s foreign policy stance on the recent Israel-Palestine conflict?

India’s interests in the West Asian region have grown. India has strong ties with the Gulf Arab states and with Israel, and a large diaspora. In addition, India gets energy supplies from the Gulf Arab states.

In the recent Gaza Conflict, the Hon’ble Prime Minister tweeted in a pro-Israel manner at the beginning of the conflict.

A few days later, the official spokesperson balanced it out by reiterating India’s traditional position on the Israel-Palestinian issue, stressing the two-state solution. Thereafter, we have sent aid to Palestinians and the Prime Minister has talked to various Arab leaders.

Conclusion

The situation in Gaza remains dire, reflecting the ongoing struggle between those advocating for a ceasefire and those seeking to eliminate Hamas. The divisions within the UNSC have demonstrated its ineffectiveness in addressing complex conflicts. The Gaza War serves as a litmus test for the UN's performance and efficacy. Calls for reforming the UN and enhancing multilateralism, with a focus on UNSC restructuring, have gained momentum, emphasizing the need for a more responsive and capable international body. The Gaza War highlights the challenges in balancing geopolitical interests and humanitarian imperatives within the UN framework, prompting a critical reevaluation of its role in global conflict resolution.

Source- ICWA