Urgent Action Urged: UN Security Council Mulls Over Proposed Ceasefire Resolution for Gaza Strip
Security Council Endorses Temporary Truce in Gaza Conflict
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The UN Security Council is all set to discuss a resolution draft tonight at 10:00 PM CET, pushing for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The resolution also aims at providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory, but a US veto looms large.
The proposed resolution, obtained by AFP in New York, underscores the need for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the conflict-ridden region, freeing any Israeli hostages held captive. Owing to the dire humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, the draft urges Israel to lift all curbs on aid supplies, including those sourced from the UN.
However, several diplomatic sources have hinted at a possible US veto as the proposed text faces opposition from Israel's closest ally. The Security Council members, who will introduce the resolution, have reportedly been unable to negotiate with the US due to divergent views regarding the Middle East conflict. The Council has not addressed this issue since November, with the last resolution dating back to June 2024 when a US-proposed ceasefire plan received support.
Since May 19, Israel has reinstated limited aid supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip after a two and a half months-long blockade. The UN characterizes this move as merely a drop in the ocean given the dire state of the Palestinian citizenry. Meanwhile, the GHF aid foundation, backed by the US and Israel, is attempting to distribute food and medicine in the area. In recent days, there have been multiple instances of Israeli soldiers firing near aid distribution centers, tragically resulting in numerous casualties.
These aid centers were shut down on Wednesday. Israel has been facing mounting international pressure to bring an end to the Gaza war, ignited by Hamas' assault on Israel on October 8, 2023.
Source: ntv.de, AFP
Insights:
- The US veto may prevent UN Security Council resolutions aimed at immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip due to the following reasons: (1) the proposed resolutions often fail to explicitly condemn Hamas and demand its disarmament; (2) the US believes providing relief to Hamas without addressing its rejection of peace talks would empower the group and hinder diplomatic efforts; (3) resolutions that don't distinguish Israel's actions from those of Hamas draw a false equivalence between them; and (4) long-standing US support for Israel.
- "The conflict within the Gaza Strip, currently marred by war-and-conflicts, has pushed the UN Security Council to discuss an employment policy of peace through resolution drafts, aiming to employ diplomacy for an immediate ceasefire."
- "Amidst the general-news of the proposed ceasefire resolution for the Gaza Strip, it's essential to avoid any employment policy of bias in coverage, ensuring fair representation of all involved parties and the community policy governing their interactions."
