In a determined stance, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has pledged to continue his efforts in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, following the US's decision to invoke its veto power and block the move in the Security Council. Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar, Guterres expressed his concerns about the "paralysis" caused by geostrategic divisions among Security Council members, asserting that the world's institutions are outdated and in need of urgent reform.

Using the extraordinary powers granted to him under Article 99 of the UN Charter, Guterres compelled the Security Council to address the crisis in Gaza, urging for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared. Although disappointed by the Council's failure to act, Guterres emphasized that the necessity for a resolution remains unchanged, and he vowed not to give up on his pursuit of a ceasefire.

The existing UN resolution calling for increased humanitarian aid is not fully implemented, putting a strain on the credibility of the United Nations. Guterres and his team have relentlessly worked to build momentum for a ceasefire, but the recent setback has left diplomats with limited short-term options. However, there is cautious optimism among some Arab foreign ministers that the upcoming month of Ramadan in early March may provide an opportunity to push for a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, asserted his commitment to the negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, which Israel and the US have stipulated as a precondition for a ceasefire. He urged both sides of the conflict to trust the process and expressed hope in revisiting a previously brokered agreement.

The Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, called for sanctions against Israel and criticized the International Criminal Court for the delay in addressing the Israeli occupation. While reluctant to delve into specific solutions for the administration of Gaza post-conflict, Shtayyeh emphasized the necessity for Palestinian unity, stating that division is not an option if they are to achieve victory.

During side meetings at the Doha Forum, participants discussed the need to move beyond the existing Palestinian Authority leadership, citing a loss of credibility. The younger generation of Palestinians, it was noted, is more focused on their rights than on a two-state solution. Philippe Lazzarani, the Commissioner General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, stressed the urgency of a ceasefire to end the suffering endured by the people of Gaza. He warned that the imminent collapse of UNRWA would be seen as a betrayal by the international community and spoke of the psychological toll of dehumanization on the Palestinians.

The Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, expressed deep disappointment with the US veto and highlighted the gravity of Israel's actions, accusing them of implementing a policy to force Palestinians out of Gaza. Safadi warned that the lasting impact of this conflict would haunt the region and define future generations. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, condemned the collective punishment of Palestinians while urging Guterres to monitor Israel's compliance with previous UN resolutions calling for increased aid to Gaza.

As the crisis in Gaza persists and diplomatic efforts face challenges, the focus now turns to finding alternative pathways to address the urgent humanitarian situation. The international community remains hopeful for a breakthrough in achieving a ceasefire and preventing further loss of life and suffering in Gaza.