Gaza struggles for justice amid fragile ceasefire deal

Negotiations for the second and third phases of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which finally started at a staggered pace on Jan 19 after months of international prodding and a scary last-minute delay, offer little cause to celebrate, especially amid objections to the United States president's Gaza Strip takeover proposal.

Having witnessed every gruesome Gaza incident, including the killing of 263 UN staff members, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres probably understands what the entire Global South laments — that global institutions have become mere playthings for powerful Western nations and their allies.

Guterres has underlined that the ceasefire is just the beginning of a long, arduous process to halt a regime that has unrepentantly killed at least 47,000 Palestinians and wounded over 110,450 others, apart from those killed in the West Bank after the Gaza truce, in flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international human rights law.

Israel has accused the UN and the entire UN General Assembly of being "anti-Semitic" and banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or the UNRWA.

Now, we must ask what kind of ethical, moral and legal world order — if any — could emerge from the ashes of Gaza? Where does the international community go from here?

As UN resolutions demand a two-state solution to resolve the crisis, the only viable way to enforce the Geneva Conventions is for more and more countries to unilaterally recognize an independent State of Palestine.

This effort should be at the forefront of diplomatic initiatives worldwide. North America, the European Union and the entire Global South must enthusiastically pursue this path.

Only by ensuring that the State of Palestine is recognized, particularly by the US and Israel, can we revive the foundations of the global order that have been obliterated alongside Gaza. The painful part may dwell upon the US, an administration that helped broker the Gaza truce but now encounters protests over its leader's proposal to relocate the people of Gaza and allow the US to "own" that land.

Whatever difficulties may emerge, the UN must take a leading role in the reconstruction of Gaza and in the rehabilitation of its people, particularly through the UNRWA. Reconstruction should not be merely an act of charity but a collective global responsibility. China, too, could offer its ingenuity and support for the rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Rebuilding Gaza together could ensure that hostilities do not reignite.

International NGOs, such as World Central Kitchen and Save the Children, and other reputable charities could create a robust base and hire locals to participate in rebuilding Gaza.

Relevant organizations must work to scour the internet and social media for videos and documentary evidence of the war crimes brazenly committed by Israel.

The stench of death and devastation, the deliberate sniping of children, the cold-blooded murder of aid workers, and the horror of obliterating hospitals — all these atrocities must be meticulously documented and legally pursued.

Those guilty of war crimes must not find sanctuary anywhere in the world. The impunity with which Israeli soldiers massacred women and children, who make up two-thirds of those killed, must be met with legal accountability. It is in the interest of the entire world that no single country or group of countries be allowed to flagrantly violate international law.

An international peacekeeping force under UN auspices is essential to ensure that hostilities do not erupt again and peace is restored and sustained in Gaza and the West Bank. This force should be a diverse coalition, including European, Arab and other regional actors. Its composition is crucial in deterring radical elements within Israel and beyond from dragging the region into another catastrophic war. Again, it would send a clear message that international law must be upheld at all costs.

The international community, alongside multilateral organizations such as the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and the EU, should support the emergence of inclusive and indigenous leaders of Palestine. The new, nonpartisan political structure must resonate with local communities and remain free from foreign interference. Building a legitimate and independent Palestinian leadership will eliminate any pretext used to reignite tensions.

One day, the ceasefire may not be observed as a victory but as a disgrace that marks the unconscionable delay that cost so many innocent lives. It is of critical global importance that the entire international community resist the brazen disregard for international rules and attempts to further inflame the Middle East.

History will remember the courage of the Palestinians who, against all odds, survived the equivalent of eight nuclear bombs and refused to submit to settler colonial crimes. The question that remains is whether the world will learn from this or allow history to repeat itself yet again.

The author is a visiting research faculty member at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, the United States. He is also a sessional instructor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta in Canada.