Israel’s Ceasefire Refusal Sparks Global Concern
Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: Israel’s recent rejection of a ceasefire in Gaza has raised alarm worldwide. Just three days ago, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly endorsed a ceasefire resolution following an inconclusive Security Council meeting. The situation is complicated, with Israel arguing that its actions are in self-defence, while the United Nations contends that, as an occupier, Israel lacks the right to self-defence.
A ceasefire is the initial step in ending armed conflict, signifying the cessation of hostilities. The United Nations human rights experts have issued dire warnings about the risk of mass genocide faced by Palestinians. They urgently call on the international community to mediate and enforce an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and Israeli occupation forces.
The United Nations Special Representative for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (since 1967)Francesca Albanese emphasises that the situation has reached a critical point. Mediation efforts must be expedited before they become irreversible. The international community holds the responsibility of protecting the Palestinian population from atrocities, and accountability for international crimes by Israeli occupation forces and Hamas is paramount.
Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, have resulted in over 8,000 Palestinians, including numerous children, losing their lives. Thousands have been injured, and more than 423,000 people have been forcibly displaced. This tragedy follows five major wars since 2008 and Israel’s unlawful blockade in place since 2007.
On October 12, Israeli forces ordered 1.1 million Palestinians in northern Gaza to relocate southward within 24 hours amid ongoing airstrikes. Subsequently, Israeli forces entered Gaza to ‘clear’ the area. Palestinians in Gaza now lack a safe zone due to Israel’s ‘total siege’. Essential supplies like water, food, fuel and electricity have been unjustly cut off. Additionally, the Rafah border crossing, partially open to the Gaza Strip, has become unreliable due to damage from Israeli airstrikes.
Global fears persist that the current attacks could result in a tragic repetition of the Nakba of 1948 and the Naksha of 1967, events characterised by significant Palestinian displacement. The UN has called for all possible measures to prevent history from repeating itself. It is disconcerting that some Israeli officials have openly advocated for another Nakba which led to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 and the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, displacing 350,000 Palestinians.
Article 52 of the Vienna Convention aims to protect the principle of free consent by preventing aggressors from gaining treaty benefits through the unlawful use of force. Whether an aggressor initiates war for specific treaty privileges or opportunistically secures collateral advantages from an illegal war becomes legally irrelevant. Article 52 addresses not only the general prohibition of the use of armed force, as outlined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter but also the obligation of all states to prevent the recognition of illegal gains.
By rejecting the UN resolution and committing actions classified as war crimes under international law, Israel’s actions pose a threat to global peace. It is the shared responsibility of the world to take immediate action to address the situation and ensure peace in the region.
The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
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