The United Nations Security Council recently passed a resolution aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but the big question remains – what can the U.N. actually do if Israel doesn’t comply?
The Security Council does have some tools at its disposal to enforce resolutions, such as imposing sanctions like travel bans, economic restrictions, and arms embargoes. However, in this case, any additional measures would require a new resolution, which would need approval from all five veto-holding members, including the United States, Israel’s ally.
Legal experts also debate the binding nature of Security Council resolutions, with some arguing that only resolutions under Chapter VII of the U.N. charter are binding. The resolution passed on Monday did not explicitly mention Chapter VII, leading to differing interpretations among member states.
Despite the resolution, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. stated that it was nonbinding, signaling that the U.S. views it more as a political instrument than a mandatory order. Former American ambassador to NATO, Ivo H. Daalder, noted that neither Israel nor Hamas are likely to be swayed by a U.N. resolution.
Meanwhile, aid groups have raised concerns about the flow of aid into Gaza, with residents facing a severe hunger crisis. Israel controls the aid flow into Gaza and has faced criticism for impeding deliveries through inspections and restrictions. The number of aid trucks entering Gaza has decreased significantly since October, exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is left wondering what steps the U.N. can take to address the crisis if Israel does not heed the resolution.
