United Nations General Assembly Resolution
Uniting for Peace: Ensuring the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian
Workers in Gaza
The General Assembly,
Recalling its Resolution 377 (V) of 3 November 1950, known as “Uniting
for Peace,” which affirms that when the Security Council fails to
exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international
peace and security due to a lack of unanimity among its permanent
members, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately and
may issue appropriate recommendations, including the use of armed force
when necessary, to restore international peace and security,
Reaffirming the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United
Nations, particularly the commitment to uphold human rights, promote
justice, and maintain international peace and security,
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted on
10 December 1948, which enshrines the inalienable rights of all human
beings to life, liberty, and security of person, and emphasizes that
“never again” must mean never again for everyone, without distinction of
any kind,
Reaffirming the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional
Protocols, which establish the legal framework for the protection of
civilians and humanitarian workers during armed conflicts, and recalling
that all parties to a conflict are bound by these obligations,
Recalling the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime
of Genocide of 1948, which obligates States to prevent and punish acts
of genocide, and noting with grave concern the findings of the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its provisional measures of 26
January 2024, ordering Israel to take immediate and effective measures
to protect Palestinians in Gaza from the risk of genocide by ensuring
sufficient humanitarian assistance and enabling basic services,
Reaffirming the principle of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P),
endorsed by the General Assembly in 2005, which holds that the
international community has a responsibility to protect populations from
genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity when
a State manifestly fails to do so, and that this responsibility includes
taking collective action through the United Nations,
Noting with deep concern the repeated failure of the United Nations
Security Council to act decisively to address the humanitarian crisis in
Gaza, due to the use of the veto by the United States, most recently on
20 February 2024, to block a resolution demanding an immediate
ceasefire, thereby obstructing the Council’s primary responsibility to
maintain international peace and security,
Expressing alarm at Israel’s non-compliance with Security Council
resolutions, including Resolution 2728 (2024) calling for an immediate
ceasefire, as well as the ICJ’s legally binding provisional measures, as
documented by Amnesty International on 28 February 2024, which reported
Israel’s failure to ensure sufficient humanitarian assistance and its
continued military operations, including plans for an escalation in
Rafah, risking further catastrophic consequences for civilians,
Gravely concerned by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza,
characterized by widespread displacement, food insecurity, limited
access to healthcare, and the targeting of civilians and humanitarian
workers, as reported by the Real Instituto Elcano on 1 March 2024, which
highlights the failure of the international community to effectively
implement R2P in this context,
Recognizing that the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including
large-scale civilian casualties, dire living conditions due to
blockades, and military actions, constitutes a clear and urgent case for
the application of the Responsibility to Protect, and that the failure
to act undermines the credibility of international law and the United
Nations,
Determining that the situation in Gaza constitutes a threat to
international peace and security, necessitating immediate and collective
action by the General Assembly under its “Uniting for Peace” mandate to
protect civilians and humanitarian workers and to uphold the principles
of international law,
Acting under Chapter IV of the Charter of the United Nations and
pursuant to Resolution 377 (V),
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Main Operative Clauses
1. Demands an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza to halt all
military operations, protect civilians, and enable the safe and
unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, in line with the ICJ’s
provisional measures and Security Council resolutions;
2. Calls for the immediate deployment of an international protection
force, under the auspices of the United Nations, to Gaza to ensure
the safety of civilians and humanitarian workers, shield them from
further violence, and facilitate the delivery of lifesaving aid,
including food, medical supplies, and shelter;
3. Urges all Member States to comply with their obligations under
international law, including the ICJ’s rulings and the Genocide
Convention, by ceasing any form of support—military, financial, or
diplomatic—to Israel that may contribute to the ongoing violations
of international humanitarian law in Gaza;
4. Requests Member States with the capacity to provide military support
to contribute personnel, equipment, and resources to the
international protection force, ensuring that such a force operates
under a clear mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian workers
in accordance with international humanitarian law;
5. Encourages Member States unable to provide military support to
contribute logistical support, including transportation,
communication, and infrastructure, as well as humanitarian aid, to
address the urgent needs of the people of Gaza, including access to
clean water, healthcare, and education;
6. Affirms that the deployment of an international protection force and
the provision of humanitarian aid are consistent with the
Responsibility to Protect, as a collective action to prevent further
atrocities and uphold the fundamental rights of the Palestinian
people;
7. Calls upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its
investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity
committed in Gaza, and urges Member States to cooperate fully with
the ICC to ensure accountability for those responsible;
8. Refers any objections by Israel or the United States to the
implementation of this resolution to the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) in The Hague for adjudication, reaffirming that the
doors of justice remain open to address violations of international
law;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
within 30 days on the implementation of this resolution, including
the establishment of the international protection force, the
delivery of humanitarian aid, and the progress toward accountability
for violations of international law;
10. Decides to remain seized of the matter and to convene an emergency
special session if the situation in Gaza deteriorates further or if
the measures outlined in this resolution are not implemented
effectively.