The UN was created in 1945 from the ashes of two devastating world wars, to prevent future conflicts, to mediate peace during crises, and to foster lasting stability in post-conflict societies.
Over the past eight decades, UN peacekeeping missions have made a tangible impact in numerous conflict-affected regions across all continents.
Their presence has often been life-saving—acting as a buffer between warring factions, supporting the implementation of fragile peace agreements, and working diligently to guide divided communities toward reconciliation and enduring peace.
This year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed on May 29, is held under the theme “Peacekeeping for the Future.” It recognizes the invaluable service of UN peacekeepers and pays tribute to the more than 4,400 personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, including 57 in 2024 alone.
This commemoration occurs amid the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Since the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023, at least 54,249 Palestinians have been killed and 123,492 injured.
These figures exclude many casualties in northern Gaza, where continued bombardment has severely hampered access to medical facilities and data collection. Since March 18 alone the people. Gaza’s population faces dire conditions as the entry of essential humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, remains blocked. More than two million people are now displaced, struggling to survive in overcrowded shelters under extreme deprivation.
In both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the continued violence by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinian civilians underscores the urgent need to strengthen international peacebuilding mechanisms. While the United Nations marks this day, Gaza continues to endure a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the obstruction of humanitarian aid—including vital medicines and medical supplies—preventing them from reaching those in need.
More than two million people remain displaced in overcrowded camps and shelters, living in dire and inhumane conditions. The ongoing war in Gaza, along with settler violence in the West Bank and documented genocides by Israeli occupation forces, underscores the urgent need to enhance the UN’s capacity to anticipate and respond effectively to peacebuilding challenges. In this context, Israel stands out as a troubling example—consistently disregarding human dignity, international humanitarian law, and fundamental humanitarian norms, as it contributes to suffering and starvation before the eyes of a largely indifferent international community.
As we honour the sacrifices and achievements of UN peacekeepers, we remind with the ongoing tragedies unfolding in Gaza and other conflict zones demand renewed international resolve to uphold the principles of peace, justice, and human dignity — the very ideals upon which the United Nations was founded.
