US Resists Ceasefire Call in UNSC Debate on “Israel” Aggression on Gaza

By Staff, Agencies

The United Nations Security Council [UNSC] has held its first open debate on the “Israeli” entity’s aggression on the Gaza Strip, with most members calling for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians under relentless “Israeli” bombardment in the strip.

The 15-member council, where the five permanent members including the United States and Russia have a veto, has so far failed to deliver a resolution that would end the violence.

The US, the “Israeli” entity’s staunchest ally, last week vetoed a resolution backed by 12 other members of the council, which would have called for a pause in fighting, because it did not do enough to stress the entity’s right to “self-defense”.

An earlier Russian-drafted resolution was also rejected.

Nearly 90 countries were on the speakers’ list for Tuesday’s debate including about 30 foreign ministers and deputy ministers, with many echoing calls for a ceasefire and a halt to attacks on Palestinian civilians amid widespread destruction in Gaza and the mounting death toll.

“We followed with regret the inability of this council twice to adopt a resolution or even to call for a ceasefire to end this war,” said Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking on behalf of the 22-member Arab Group at the UN, accused the “Israeli” entity of “razing Gaza to the ground” and lamented the Security Council’s failure to call an immediate ceasefire.

He urged diplomats to adopt a resolution to stop the war, condemn the killing of civilians on both sides and prevent the starvation as well as collective punishment of the Palestinians.

“The Security Council must take a clear stance to reassure 2 billion Arabs and Muslims that international law will be applied,” Safadi said.

Washington, however, has said it favors a humanitarian pause, which is considered less formal and shorter than a ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked the council to back a new US-led resolution that “incorporates substantive feedback”.

The draft, according to the AFP news agency, would defend the “inherent right of all states” to self-defense while calling for compliance with international law. It would back “humanitarian pauses” to let in aid but not a full ceasefire.

The US’s top diplomat also stressed the need to protect Palestinian civilians.

“‘Israel’ must take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians,” he said, and “humanitarian pauses” must be considered to get aid flowing into Gaza and enable civilians “to get out of harm’s way”.

Russia, meanwhile, has put forward its own counter resolution. A vote could take place later this week.

“The whole world is expecting from the Security Council a call for a swift and unconditional ceasefire,” said Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

Amid the deadlock at the council, Jordan and Russia are among nations that have requested a meeting on Thursday of the UN General Assembly. Resolutions there are non-binding but hugely symbolic.