The Negotiators Before the Cease-Fire, Malta Negotiated a ‘Humanitarian Pause’ to the War in Gaza
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Dec 15, 2025 
Vanessa Frazier, Malta's former UN Permanent Representative, shares her insights on negotiating humanitarian pauses during the Gaza conflict. She highlights Malta's unique approach as a small state advocating for multilateralism. Frazier reveals the subtle language manipulations crucial for gaining consensus within the Security Council, such as avoiding the word 'ceasefire.' She also discusses the importance of children's welfare in her negotiations and the successful outcome, which resulted in aid deliveries and the release of hostages, showcasing the power of diplomacy amidst crisis.
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Airport Moment That Sparked Action
- Vanessa Frazier recalls the Security Council gathered in an Addis Ababa airport lounge as news of October 7 broke and they rushed back to New York for an emergency meeting.
- She felt immediate shock and urgency as Israel declared war and Malta called for the council to convene the next day.
Small States Use Principle To Lead
- Malta framed its positions strictly on international law and the UN Charter rather than taking sides in regional politics.
- Vanessa argues small states can lead because they focus resources and push principled, legal-based diplomacy.
Why The Security Council Stalled
- The council deadlocked because one bloc refused to condemn Hamas while another refused to include the word "ceasefire."
- That binary standoff made standard resolutions impossible until language was reframed.