Russia and China exercised their veto power on Friday, blocking a U.S.-sponsored resolution at the United Nations that urged for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resolution aimed to safeguard civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to over 2 million Palestinians facing dire conditions.
In the Security Council vote, 11 members supported the resolution, while three voted against it, with one member abstaining.
Before the vote, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed Moscow’s backing for an immediate cease-fire. However, he criticized the wording of the resolution, accusing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of misinforming the international community for politicized motives.
The resolution stressed the imperative need for a cease-fire.
Unlike previous drafts, the resolution put to vote did not explicitly tie the cease-fire to the release of hostages held since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. Nonetheless, it strongly supported diplomatic endeavors aimed at securing a cease-fire in conjunction with the release of all remaining hostages.
Despite previous resolutions addressing the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, none had specifically called for a cease-fire. Russia and China previously vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in October, asserting it failed to reflect global appeals for a cessation of hostilities.
The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire, including one backed by Arab nations on February 20.
Ahead of the recent vote, the U.S. proposed an alternative resolution, which underwent substantial revisions during negotiations. Initially, it endorsed a temporary cease-fire linked to the hostage release. The revised draft aimed to garner international support for a cease-fire as part of negotiations concerning the hostages.
The vote coincided with Blinken’s sixth diplomatic mission to the Middle East since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has been engaging in discussions regarding a potential cease-fire agreement and the release of hostages, as well as post-conflict scenarios.
Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, highlighted the resolution as an opportunity for the Council to unify its stance in support of ongoing diplomatic efforts and to exert pressure on Hamas to accept the proposed agreement.
Meanwhile, the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council have been formulating their resolution. This resolution advocates for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on March 10, to be honored by all parties, leading to a sustainable and enduring cessation of hostilities.
It also demands the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” underscoring the urgent necessity to safeguard civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid across the Gaza Strip.
Following Hamas’ surprise attack into southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 250 others, approximately 100 individuals remain in captivity, along with the remains of 30 others.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 32,000 Palestinians have died in the territory, with women and children constituting two-thirds of the casualties. The International community’s famine warning for northern Gaza, where 70% of the population faces severe hunger, underscores the critical humanitarian situation exacerbated by the escalating conflict.
The U.S. draft expressed profound concern regarding the looming threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics, emphasizing the urgent need to expand humanitarian aid distribution throughout Gaza and remove obstacles hindering aid access.
Israel is facing mounting pressure, even from its allies, to ease the entry of aid into Gaza and to agree to a cease-fire. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to escalate military operations into the southern city of Rafah, which he claims is a Hamas stronghold and where approximately 1.3 million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.
The final U.S. draft removed language from the initial version that opposed Israel’s offensive in Rafah. Instead, it emphasized the Council’s apprehensions regarding the potential harm to civilians and further displacement caused by a ground offensive into Rafah, highlighting the repercussions for regional peace and security.
The U.S. draft condemned “all acts of terrorism, including the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence, including rape,” marking the first time such language appeared in a UN resolution.
(Dov T. Heller-Matzav.com)
Putin and Xi just want to embarrass the US.