Anyone following the United Nations Security Council session on Thursday, October 11, 2024, discussing Israel’s aggression against Lebanon, or monitoring the talks about ceasefire efforts in Gaza and Lebanon and the preparations for the next phase, will inevitably hear about the numerous resolutions passed by the Security Council over the decades on the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Security Council has adopted many resolutions related to the Palestinian issue and Israel’s occupation and aggression against both Palestine and Lebanon. Although Palestine is not a full member of the Security Council, it has held observer status since 2012, following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ bid for full membership in 2011. Abbas sent a renewed request to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on April 2, 2024, asking for reconsideration of the 2011 application for full membership. However, this request was vetoed by the United States.

In the Lebanese context, the focus remains on the implementation of Resolutions 1559 and 1701, two critical pillars of debate. Resolution 1559, adopted in 2004, calls for the disarmament of all armed groups outside the control of the Lebanese state. Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, aims to end hostilities and extend the Lebanese government’s authority over its territory, creating a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River.

In this report, we will review some of the most significant Security Council resolutions, as understanding these is crucial to comprehending the historical, political, and diplomatic context of the Palestinian cause.

Key Resolutions on Palestine

Several resolutions concerning Palestine were mentioned during the Security Council session last Thursday:

Resolution 242 (1967)

Adopted on November 22, 1967, following the Six-Day War (known as the 1967 Naksa), Resolution 242 is one of the most significant regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict. It emphasizes “the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war” and calls for:

Israel’s withdrawal from territories occupied in the recent conflict.

The termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of every state in the region.

A just settlement of the refugee problem.

Freedom of navigation through international waterways in the region.

Resolution 338 (1973)

Adopted on October 22, 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, Resolution 338 calls for:

An immediate ceasefire and the termination of all military activities.

The implementation of Resolution 242 in its entirety.

The commencement of negotiations aimed at establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Similar resolutions include 446 (1979), 452 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), and 478 (1980), which reinforce the same themes.

Resolution 1397 (2002)

Adopted on March 12, 2002, Resolution 1397 was the first to explicitly endorse the two-state solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine living side by side within secure and recognized borders. This resolution marked a significant step in affirming international support for the two-state framework.

Resolution 1515 (2003)

Adopted on November 19, 2003, Resolution 1515 endorsed the Roadmap for Peace proposed by the Quartet (the UN, Russia, the United States, and the European Union), which aimed to establish two states. The roadmap outlined three phases:

Phase One (until May 2003): Ending violence, normalizing Palestinian life, and building Palestinian institutions.

Phase Two (June–December 2003): A transitional phase leading to a Palestinian state.

Final Settlement (2004–2005): A permanent agreement and the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Resolution 1850 (2008)

Adopted on December 16, 2008, Resolution 1850 welcomed the Israeli-Palestinian understanding reached at the Annapolis Conference in November 2007, particularly concerning the implementation of the performance-based roadmap towards a two-state solution. The resolution encouraged all states and international organizations to contribute to the development of the Palestinian economy and state-building efforts.

Resolution 2334 (2016)

Adopted on December 23, 2016, Resolution 2334 demanded that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.” It reaffirmed that Israeli settlements have no legal validity and are a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace.

Resolution 2735 (2024)

Adopted on June 10, 2024, Resolution 2735 aims to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and includes the following provisions:

A permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The unconditional implementation of a prisoner exchange agreement.

Rejection of any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza.

Reaffirmation of support for the two-state solution.

The unification of Palestinian leadership in Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

Key Resolutions on Lebanon

In the Lebanese context, the main resolutions currently under discussion include:

Resolution 425 (1978)

Adopted on March 19, 1978, Resolution 425 called for the strict respect for Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence within its internationally recognized borders. It demanded that Israel cease its military operations against Lebanese territory and withdraw immediately from all Lebanese lands. The resolution also established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces and restore peace and security.

Resolution 1559 (2004)

Adopted on September 2, 2004, Resolution 1559 focused on Lebanon and called for:

Respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence under the sole and exclusive authority of its government.

The withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.

The disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.

Resolution 1680 (2006)

Adopted on May 17, 2006, Resolution 1680 reaffirmed the call for the full implementation of Resolution 1559. It encouraged Syria to positively respond to Lebanon’s request for the delineation of their shared border and endorsed efforts to disarm armed Palestinian groups outside refugee camps within six months.

Resolution 1701 (2006)

Adopted on August 11, 2006, Resolution 1701 sought to end the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Key provisions included:

A full cessation of hostilities.

The extension of Lebanese government control over all its territory.

Respect for the Blue Line.

The establishment of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River.

The prohibition of foreign forces in Lebanon without government approval and a ban on arms sales without Lebanese government consent.

The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese and UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.

Resolution 2749 (2024)

Adopted on August 28, 2024, Resolution 2749 reiterates the full implementation of Resolution 1701 (2006) and underscores the need for complete respect for the Blue Line and a permanent ceasefire. It extends the mandate of UNIFIL until August 31, 2025.

Will we finally witness the implementation of Security Council resolutions after all these decades? Could these resolutions be the key to stability and peace in the region?