More than two weeks prior, Algeria had submitted the first draft of the resolution. However, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield promptly stated that the language would endanger “sensitive negotiations” meant to mediate a cease-fire in the conflict.
The last haven for millions of displaced Palestinians, Rafah, has been the target of international pleas to halt the invasion, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected them. Netanyahu emphasized that the operation would go whether or not a prisoner swap agreement was struck.
According to diplomats, Algeria asked the council to vote on Tuesday. This was on Saturday. A UN Security Council resolution must have at least nine votes in favor and not be vetoed by the US, UK, France, China, or Russia in order to be approved.
The US opposes taking any action about this proposed resolution. It will not be passed if it is put to a vote in its current draft form. declared Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.
Over the last four months, the US has already twice blocked UNSC action, protecting Israel from UN action as it does every other year.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that “the situation in Gaza is an appalling indictment of the deadlock in global relations.”
In response to a question for clarification, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that Guterres was “pointing the finger” at the Security Council’s discord “and how that discord has hampered our ability… to improve situations around the world.”
Thomas-Greenfield stated: “It is critical that other parties give this process the best odds of succeeding, rather than push measures that put it — and the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities — in jeopardy.” The talks between the US, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar are aimed at achieving a “pause” in the war and the release of prisoners.
The anticipated council vote coincides with Israel’s invasion of southern Gaza’s Rafah, where millions of Palestinians have sought safety, raising fears throughout the world that such action will drastically exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
Egypt has issued several warnings against any “forced displacement” of Palestinians into the Sinai desert. Egypt is in charge of the Rafah border crossing from Gaza. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed over the phone that a truce was “necessary of the swift advancement.”
The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that in the last four months alone, Israeli troops have killed at least 28,985 individuals in Gaza—mostly women and children—through airstrikes and ground offensives.
Netanyahu has dismissed as “ludicrous” the demands made by Hamas, which include a stop to all hostilities, the release of prisoners, and the evacuation of Israeli forces from Gaza.
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The resolution calling for an urgent ceasefire might jeopardies “sensitive negotiations” aimed at mediating a break in the war, according to the US Ambassador to the UN, despite Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani calling those talks “not very promising” at the Munich Security Conference.