In a crucial voting, the UN Security Council faced a critical setback as it failed to adopt a Russian-led resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the war-torn region of Gaza. The conflict in Gaza has escalated over the past ten days, marked by relentless Israeli airstrikes following attacks by Hamas on Israeli border towns.
The Russian-drafted resolution garnered five votes in favor from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. However, it fell short of the necessary support with four countries, namely France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, voting against it. An additional six countries, including Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland, abstained from voting.
To pass within the 15-member Council, a resolution must secure at least nine votes in favor, without opposition or veto from any of the five permanent members. The Russian draft resolution called for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, aid access, and the safe evacuation of civilians.
The primary point of contention revolved around the failure of the Russian resolution to explicitly condemn the attacks by Hamas, which had reportedly resulted in over 1,000 Israeli casualties. Meanwhile, Gaza reported at least 2,750 Palestinian fatalities and 9,700 wounded in Israeli retaliatory airstrikes.
Subsequently, the Security Council is expected to address a rival draft resolution proposed by Brazil. This alternative resolution calls for “humanitarian pauses” and condemns Hamas, along with all forms of violence and terrorist acts against civilians.
Following the vote, Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed regret over the failure to adopt the resolution, placing blame on the “selfish intention of the western bloc.” He lamented that this vote demonstrated a division between those supporting humanitarian aid and an end to violence, and those opposing it for “selfish and political interests.”
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield justified her country’s opposition to the Russian resolution by asserting that it ignored Hamas’ acts of terrorism and was dishonoring the victims. She stated, “By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. It is outrageous, hypocritical, and indefensible.”
The Security Council had convened behind closed doors for the second time in five days to address the Israel-Hamas conflict. Russia had proposed its draft resolution, while Brazil, the current council president, circulated a competing draft over the weekend. The international community remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the potential for the conflict to further intensify.
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