Why is the United Nations not sending a peacekeeping operation to the Gaza Strip?

Belarus (Brussels Morning Newspaper), Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages, and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza. The final decision was made after six months from the beginning of the conflict with three previously vetoed resolutions by the United States and one US-proposed resolution vetoed by Russia and China.


Even though the resolution was approved by 14 out of 15 UN SC member states, some people argue that the resolution is effective. The resolution was not only adopted during the Ramadan celebration in the Arab world but was criticized for demanding only an immediate release of hostages that were taken by Hamas, what about the Israeli part, don’t they have hostages taken?

Before the ceasefire resolution was adopted, the United States was proposing the entry of International Military Forces to Gaza in the form of a peacekeeping operation. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan. One of the reasons for that was the disagreement of Benjamin Netanyahu with the US-EU post-war Gaza plans.

The United States was considering the possibility of giving control of Gaza to Palestinian authorities and a two-state solution to the conflict. Western countries were in favor of the international peacekeeping forces. At the same time, the US has been warning Israel not to re-occupy Gaza after the end of the conflict. “Gaza must be demilitarized. And for Gaza to be demilitarized, there is only one force that can ensure this. And that force is the Israel Defence Force. No international force can take responsibility.”- said the Israeli Prime Minister in his speech.

The Israel-Gaza conflict could have two possibilities of the UN interfering depending on the development of the conflict shortly. If Israel accepts a ceasefire resolution in the next few weeks, it be a peacekeeping mission to monitor the ceasefire deal. However, to do that, the consent of both Israel and Gaza is required before the mission is sent. In this case, peacekeepers will play the role of neutral observers and will be allowed to use force only as a last force or for self-defense.

Another type of operation that could take place is a regional partnership. It includes operations with regional organizations, such as the European Union, NATO, or African Union in pursuit of peace. This type of operation was provided in Bosnia in 1992 with NATO, which included large-scale air operations and deployment of NATO military forces. However, such kind of mission could be taken as an ultimate solution. At present, the United Nations will try to use diplomatic means and mediation as a tool for bringing peace in the area.

One of the methods used by the UN in conflicts is to impose sanctions, but the problem in the Israel-Gaza case is on which side it should be imposed. The United States are supporting Israel and even if the proposition be suggested by other states, will vote against it. Simultaneously, six months of the conflict passed and the only sanctions that were imposed were made by Israel on Gaza in the form of full-scale blockage of food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel to the region.

The situation in the region can be escalated since Israel will probably not be satisfied with the ceasefire as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s ultimate goal is to draw the security buffer zone in Gaza after the war. At the same time, “immediate ceasefire” does not mean “the end of the war”, that is why what was temporarily stopped can be started with renewed vigor. Nevertheless, Joe Biden’s administration is changing its position towards the conflict by stating that it won’t permit redrawing of Gaza’s borders.

The US government’s political change took an unprecedented turn after the allegations that President Joe Biden and other US officials were complicit in Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza. Regardless of the case to be dismissed, the United States government is not supporting Israel the same way it was doing several months ago.

If the conflict continues and the genocide crimes escalate, the United Nations will have no other choice but to send a mission to Gaza. If it is a regional partnership, then against whom the operation be directed? Because both the United States and the European Union believe in ending Hamas’s rule of Gaza and restoring the Palestinian Authority in the region, the operation can be directed against the representatives of the terrorist group. However, there is a question of means to be used to achieve the goal. The US will probably not be in favor of repeating the “war on terror” history or Bosnia bombings and shedding more blood of unfortunate civilians.

Additionally, to ensure a peacekeeping operation, a resolution outlining the scope of the operation needs to be passed and troop donations from the UN member states in support of the operation need to be called. If the operation is vetoed by one of the permanent members of the Security Council, there is a special situation that may overrun the decision- the “Uniting for Peace” agreement.

The accord permits the General Assembly to enter a special emergency session to address the threats to international peace and security when the Security Council is ineffective due to the veto of one or more permanent members. Uniting for Peace gives the General Assembly the possibility to operate on behalf of the Security Council, which means that it can authorize the use of force or take other enforcement measures. In this case, the veto of 5 permanent members does not apply. Uniting for Peace was used in the Israel-Palestine conflict in 1980 and 1997. The agreement can be used in the case of Gaza as well.

On top of that, the United Nations cannot leave the case of Gaza without a solution as in December 2023 South African government brought a case of the violation of the Genocide Convention by Israel to the International Court of Justice. The final verdict stated that “it is plausible that Israel committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza” and “all measures must be taken within its power to prevent the commission of genocide.”

Besides, due to the 2005 UN “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine, the UN and its member states agreed “to take steps necessary to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.” The doctrine continues with words: “ The international community, through the UN, also has a responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, under a chapter VI and VII of the Chapter, to help protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. In this context, we are prepared to take collective action in a timely and decisive manner, through the SC… should peaceful means be inadequate and national authorities manifestly fail to protect their populations…”

Dear reader,

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