United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a United States-sponsored resolution declaring that “an immediate and sustained Cease fire in” in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is “imperative” to protect civilians.
The US says the ceasefire would also enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to more than 2 million hungry Palestinians. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was optimistic that the new, tougher draft resolution would be approved Friday by the 15-member council.
The draft being put to a vote “determines” – which is a council order – “the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire,” with no direct link to the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which was in the previous draft.
But it would unequivocally support diplomatic efforts “to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.”
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said Moscow will not be satisfied “with anything that doesn’t call for an immediate ceasefire,” saying it’s what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for and what “everybody” wants.
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He questioned the wording of the draft, asking, “What’s an imperative? I have an imperative to give you $100, but … it’s only an imperative, not $100.
“So, somebody’s fooling around, I think, (with the) international community,” the Russian envoy said. The Security Council has passed two resolutions about the bad situation in Gaza, but none for a ceasefire.
Russia and China said no to a resolution from the US in late October. It asked for breaks in fighting to help people and stop giving weapons to Hamas.
The two nations failed to back the resolution because it did not call for a ceasefire. The US, considered one of Israel’s top allies, has so far stopped three resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
The most reason one – on February 20 – was backed by 13 UN Security Council members. A day earlier, the U.S. circulated a rival resolution, which has gone through major changes during negotiations before Friday’s vote.
The UN Security Council will vote on a US resolution for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to free hostages. This comes as US diplomat Blinken visits the Middle East for the sixth time since the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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The resolution aims to support ongoing negotiations and urge Hamas to agree to the proposed deal. Additionally, other Security Council members are drafting a separate resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire during Ramadan.
It also demands “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages ” and emphasizes the urgent need to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.
As of October 7, Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted around 250 in a surprise attack in southern Israel. It’s estimated that Hamas still holds roughly 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others.
The United Nations Security Council will vote on a resolution proposed by the United States for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The resolution aims to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach over 2 million Palestinians in need. The vote comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts and discussions about the release of hostages and post-war arrangements.
The US draft would express “deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics presently facing the civilian population in Gaza as well as the number of undernourished people, and also that hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.”
It would emphasize “the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the entire Gaza Strip” and lift all barriers to getting aid to civilians “at scale.”
The draft was being put in “blue” Thursday night, which is the final form required for a vote.
After closed council consultations on Gaza late Thursday, France’s U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière told reporters: “There is a desire to take action, no one want to procrastinate, so we hope that a decision can be made by tomorrow (Friday) evening.”
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“There are two options: Either the U.S. text is adopted and then we’ll move to the next phase of this crisis management,” he said, “or the text is not adopted and then the draft of the elected members will come to the table and put to the vote, and I hope it will be adopted.”
Israel’s allies are urging it to allow more aid into Gaza and to agree to a ceasefire. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to continue the military offensive in Rafah, a city where many Palestinians have taken shelter. Netanyahu sees Rafah as a Hamas stronghold. The US initially supported Israel’s attack on Rafah but has since changed its stance.
It now says the offensive “would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, potentially into neighboring countries, and would have serious implications for regional peace and security.”
For the first time in a UN resolution, the US draft would condemn “all acts of terrorism, including the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, as well as its taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, and sexual violence, including rape.”
