US vetoes 'immediate ceasefire for Gaza' resolution

At the United Nations Security Council, a draft resolution submitted by Algeria, which demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemned all attacks against civilians, and opposed forced displacement, was put to a vote.

In the 15-member UNSC, the UK abstained while 13 countries voted "yes" on the draft resolution, which was vetoed by the US.

US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated in her remarks before the vote that the US is conducting negotiations with Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar for the release of hostages, noting that if an agreement is reached in this area, there would be a 6-week pause in the fighting.

Greenfield stated that diplomacy takes time and that the realities on the ground should not be ignored, adding that Algeria's draft resolution would negatively affect the ongoing negotiations.

Announcing that the US has submitted a new draft resolution, Greenfield said, "Let us act at the right time, in the right way."

"EVERY PALESTINIAN IS A TARGET OF DEATH AND GENOCIDE"

Algeria's Permanent Representative to the UN Amar Bendjama stated before the vote, "Opposing the draft resolution means supporting the brutal violence and collective punishment to which the Palestinian people are subjected."

Pointing out that every Palestinian is a target of "death and genocide," Bendjama asked, "How many more innocent lives must be sacrificed before the Council calls for a ceasefire?"

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia recalled that his country had called for a ceasefire on October 16, 2023, but it was not accepted, stating, "The cost of inaction is more than 28 thousand lives lost. The collective responsibility for this lies with the Western countries of the UN Security Council."

ALGERIA'S DRAFT RESOLUTION

The draft resolution submitted by Algeria demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution, which condemned all attacks against civilians, also opposed the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.

While the draft resolution called on all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, it also demanded unhindered humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.

The draft resolution, which demanded the release of all hostages, also referred to the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice against Israel on January 26.

NEW DRAFT INITIATIVE FROM THE US

In the US draft obtained by AA, it is warned that "a ground offensive into Rafah under current circumstances would cause great harm to civilians and lead to their displacement."

The draft resolution, which includes a warning that this would lead to very serious regional and security problems, states, "This offensive should not take place under current circumstances."

Using the term "ceasefire" for the first time, the US draft conveys the message, "We support a temporary ceasefire as soon as possible, which could be implemented if all hostages in Gaza are released."

US HAS VETOED CEASEFIRE CALLS BEFORE

The US had previously vetoed draft resolutions on Gaza submitted to the UNSC on October 16, 18, and 25, 2023, and December 8, 2023.

The US was also one of the 10 countries that voted "no" on the draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which received "yes" votes from 153 countries at the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2023.

News Source: AA