Towards peace?

The UN General Assembly's adoption of the 'New York Declaration' — a resolution seeking to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — marks a monumental development in the painful history of the protracted Middle East crisis. Backed by 142 member states, the resolution breathes fresh life into the long-stalled peaceful solution, offering hope that a just and lasting settlement is still within reach.

Rather than a ceremonial reiteration, the declaration signals intent. It calls for an end to the war in Gaza and recommits the international community to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Hamas, however, is assigned a sharply circumscribed role. The declaration directly condemns its October 7 attacks, demands the release of hostages and calls for the group to relinquish its arms. In doing so, it makes clear that armed militancy cannot form part of the architecture of a future settlement deal.

That the New York declaration emerged from the joint efforts of France and Saudi Arabia, and carried the endorsement of the Arab League, reflects an unusual convergence between powers often divided on Middle Eastern affairs. Such breadth of support lends the document weight that cannot be easily dismissed. Predictably, Israel and the US opposed the resolution. Yet their dissent only highlights a growing international impatience with occupation and conflict. A lopsided reliance on force has left Israel increasingly isolated at multilateral forums, with its narrative resonating less in a world weary of double standards.

Pakistan's intervention at the Security Council captured this mood with clarity. Condemning Israel's strikes on Qatar, Islamabad's envoy described as "ludicrous" the attempt of an aggressor to masquerade as victim while trampling the UN Charter. Such words reflected Pakistan's consistent stance that international law, not brute power, must shape the path to peace.

The declaration, however, is only a beginning. Words alone cannot halt bombardment in Gaza or deliver justice to Palestinians. What matters is whether this rare consensus can be translated into sustained pressure for a political settlement.