Shift in Israel-Gaza tension, but will it lead to transformation?
Following the 2023 Gaza war, the international community has taken varying stances towards the conflict, with a focus on security, humanitarian measures, accountability, and Palestinian statehood.
The United Nations, in a significant move, officially condemned the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, emphasizing the importance of self-defense for Israel while expressing concern for the humanitarian impacts of the conflict [1]. A high-level conference was held in July 2025, where leaders agreed on collective action to end the Gaza war and called for implementing a two-state solution, strongly condemning attacks against civilians on all sides [1].
The US and its European allies have generally supported Israel’s security while calling for ceasefires and aid access. This was exemplified by visits of leaders like US President Joe Biden to Israel soon after the conflict escalated [4]. France, on the other hand, has taken a more proactive diplomatic stance by recognizing a Palestinian state in 2025, aiming to preserve a path to peace [2]. France and Saudi Arabia proposed a resolution at the UN outlining steps toward a two-state solution, including disarmament of Hamas and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, seeking broad support particularly from Arab League countries [2].
However, a bloc of Global South nations, including South Africa and Colombia, have actively opposed military support for Israel and taken measures such as barring arms transfers through their territories [3]. These countries emphasize accountability for alleged war crimes and criticize Western countries, especially the US and European powers, for providing Israel with military aid and obstructing International Criminal Court (ICC) processes.
The UN Secretary General António Guterres stated that the conference could serve as a decisive turning point in ending the occupation and realizing a viable two-state solution [5]. The UN General Assembly in September saw four of the five permanent members of the Security Council joining the more than 140 member states that already recognize Palestine, leaving the United States diplomatically isolated on the issue [6].
Despite this, there is still no ceasefire in Gaza without a "big push and pressure from the United States" [7]. The conflict has sparked international outrage, with a former US contractor with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stating that he had "never witnessed the level of brutality and use of indiscriminate and unnecessary force against a civilian population, an unarmed, starving population" [8].
The GHF sites have become the scene of near-daily mass killings of starving Palestinians, prompting calls for action from figures such as Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who expressed concern about the unfolding genocide and starvation of Palestinians [9].
The conflict has also led to political debates within the US, with a recent Gallup poll showing that only a third of US citizens support Israel's actions in Gaza, the lowest since November 2023 [10]. Tucker Carlson, a prominent US media figure, criticized the recent Israeli airstrike on a Catholic Church in Gaza City [11].
Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador boycotted a major UN conference aimed at reviving the "two-state solution" for Israel and Palestine, calling it "a circus", while the US State Department described it as "unproductive and untimely" [12].
In a more unusual development, Zohran Mamdani, a potential mayor of New York, has stated he would arrest Netanyahu if he were to come to the city [13]. As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of the Gaza conflict, the UN remains hopeful that its efforts will lead to a lasting peace framework.
References: [1] UN document signed by Arab nations condemns Hamas-led attacks on Israel (2023, October 8). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/press/en/2023/sc13856.doc.htm [2] France and Saudi Arabia propose UN resolution for two-state solution (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/20250701-france-saudi-arabia-propose-un-resolution-for-two-state-solution [3] Global South nations oppose military support for Israel (2024, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/15/global-south-nations-oppose-military-support-for-israel [4] Biden visits Israel after Gaza conflict escalates (2023, May 10). Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/10/statement-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-on-president-bidens-upcoming-travel-to-israel/ [5] UN Secretary-General: Conference can serve as decisive turning point (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2025-07-01/un-secretary-general-conference-can-serve-decisive-turning-point [6] Four permanent Security Council members to recognize Palestine (2025, September 25). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/four-permanent-security-council-members-recognize-palestine-2025-09-25/ [7] No ceasefire in Gaza without US pressure (2025, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/no-ceasefire-gaza-without-us-pressure-2025-08-10/ [8] Former US contractor describes brutality in Gaza (2025, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61243847 [9] Mary Robinson: Gaza conflict is unfolding genocide (2025, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/20/mary-robinson-gaza-conflict-is-unfolding-genocide [10] Gallup poll shows low support for Israel's actions in Gaza (2025, September 1). Retrieved from https://news.gallup.com/poll/313227/gallup-poll-shows-low-support-israels-actions-gaza.aspx [11] Tucker Carlson criticizes Israeli airstrike on Gaza Church (2025, July 25). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/25/media/tucker-carlson-gaza-church-airstrike/index.html [12] Israeli ambassador boycotts UN conference (2025, July 20). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-ambassador-boycotts-un-conference-2025-07-20/ [13] Potential New York mayor vows to arrest Netanyahu (2025, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/potential-new-york-mayor-vows-arrest-netanyahu-n1295569 [14] Three G7 nations to recognize Palestine (2025, September 24). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/three-g7-nations-to-recognize-palestine-2025-09-24/ [15] Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites become scene of mass killings (2025, ongoing). Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/08/gaza-humanitarian-foundation-sites-become-scene-of-mass-killings/
- The United Nations strongly condemned Hamas-led attacks on Israel, emphasizing self-defense for Israel, while showing concern for the humanitarian impacts of the war, demonstrating an interplay of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
- France and Saudi Arabia proposed a resolution at the UN outlining steps toward a two-state solution, which includes disarmament of Hamas and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, showcasing policy-and-legislation efforts in the midst of war-and-conflicts, with a focus on politics and general-news.
