Photo by [Middle East Monitor]
Johannesburg – On Wednesday, the United States drafted a UN Security Council resolution seeking a ‘Humanitarian Pause’ in the besieged Gaza Strip, which China and Russia subsequently vetoed. This proposed pause aimed to facilitate the much-needed delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
It is essential to distinguish that a humanitarian pause differs from a ceasefire. A humanitarian pause entails a temporary and unpredictable halt of hostilities, primarily intended to enable the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. It does not present a comprehensive solution or a sustainable path towards peace.
According to reports, China’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, remarked that the US draft resolution fails to align with the widespread call for a ceasefire and does not contribute to resolving the ongoing crisis or ending hostilities.
“At this moment, a ceasefire is not just a diplomatic term. It means the life or death of civilians.”
China’s Call for a Ceasefire
China and numerous other countries are advocating for a ceasefire in light of the relentless Israeli bombardment that has led to the merciless killing of thousands of Palestinians. They have expressed their commitment to taking ‘whatever is conducive’ to facilitate this ceasefire and reestablish diplomacy and peace in the area.
As the threat of a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip looms, a ceasefire is the most humane and practical measure to prevent further Palestinian suffering and loss of life.
Gideon Chitanga, a Research Associate at the African Centre for the Study of the United States at Wits, expressed given the gravity of the crisis in Gaza, the mounting civilian casualties and the extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, the call for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention could be the key to paving the way for a lasting political resolution between Israel and Palestine.
“I think that the Chinese engagement, which also converges with what African countries are saying and countries from the global South are saying, would probably be something that the Western parties can reflect on and urgently call on Israel to shift its approach to a peaceful political solution. Instead of a continued use of military force which might eventually destabilise the whole region.”
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Questioning Western Credibility
Chitanga pointed out an intriguing parallel between the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and how the Western world is managing both situations. He observed that if we juxtapose two images depicting these conflicts, we would witness the different treatments of people in these areas.
In light of this observation, Western leaders’ steadfast backing and management of events in Gaza since October 7 are sparking concerns about their credibility within the global community.
Chitanga highlighted that while the international community, its leaders, and civilians fervently advocate for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution, the West’s inconsistent standards and prioritisation of its interests erode its moral authority and diminish its international and domestic support.
“The Western powers, the US, the UK, France and Germany, when they face the global South they have a serious deep crisis of credibility because these countries believe that Western posture is characterised by double standards and, to an extent, arrogance. They feel that the West would always support its interest and overlook any other group, any other society and any other country’s interest.”
While the world witnesses the unfolding tragedy in Gaza, marked by the loss, destruction, and anguish endured by the Palestinian population, world leaders find themselves in a deadlock, with some supporting a peaceful resolution and others seemingly endorsing a more dire situation.
Amid their ongoing disputes and inaction, civilian casualties, including adults, children, and infants, continue to climb.
However, in response to the approximately 7 000 Palestinians who have lost their lives in two weeks, President Joe Biden expressed uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the Palestinian authorities’ casualty reports. Yet he can verify the alleged mutilation of Israeli infants and the Palestinian’s involvement in the destruction of the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital.
