UNSC Resolution: Ceasefire in Gaza (GS Paper-2, IR)
Why in news?
- The UN Security Council for the first time has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan.
- The resolution was put forward by the 10 elected council members and is backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.
- The United States abstained on the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel.
About Gaza Strip
- The Gaza Strip is 140 sq miles of land located in the southwest corner of Israel, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It also shares a border with Egypt to the south. The West Bank is another area of land located within the country of Israel, but it is much larger than the Gaza Strip at 2,173 sq miles.
About the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was established in 1945.
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN) responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- The Council is composed of 15 Members: Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly (with end of term year)
- These 10 seats are distributed among the regions of the world: five seats for African and Asian countries; one for Eastern European countries; two for Latin American and Caribbean countries; and two for Western Europe and Other Countries
Powers and Functions
- to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations;
- to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction;
- to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;
- to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments;
- to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken;
- to call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression;
- to take military action against an aggressor;
About the Veto Power of P5 Members
- The 5 permanent members have the power of veto.
- Under Article 27 of the UN Charter, Security Council decisions on all substantive matters require the affirmative votes of three-fifths (i.e., 9) of the members.
- A negative vote or a “veto” by a permanent member prevents the adoption of a proposal, even if it has received the required votes.
- Abstention is not regarded as a veto in most cases, though all five permanent members must vote for adopting any amendment of the UN Charter or any recommendation for the admission of a new UN member state.
- The decisions of the UNSC (known as resolutions) are binding on all members of the UN
