
UN Security Council passes resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict with US abstention
A resolution that ends days of discussions behind closed doors and asks for humanitarian pauses between Israel and Hamas as well as additional relief to Gaza and the development of conditions that would allow for a lasting cessation to combat was agreed by the UN Security Council. In order to provide complete, quick, secure, and unfettered humanitarian access, the resolution demands for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days.”
Overview of the resolution
Russia and the United States chose not to use their vetoes as long-term members of the body to override the resolution, hence they refrained from voting. Despite applauding the resolution, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield did not vote in support of it since it did not explicitly denounce Hamas. Rejecting Hamas would be wonderful, a senior US.
We find it incomprehensible that the council is unable to provide a clear explanation of our current situation. But ultimately, it is the main goal of diplomacy. According to the White House, the final resolution lacked wording that the US deems necessary, and its lack of vote does not signify a change in policy. However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the US’s decision not to veto the resolution represents a “clear retreat” from its prior stance and will harm both the military campaign against Hamas and the attempts to free Israeli prisoners detained in Gaza.
Key components of the resolution
Given the current US stance, Netanyahu will not be sending a high-level delegation to Washington, DC. In order to address Israeli intentions for a ground assault of Rafah in southern Gaza, where over a million displaced Palestinians are seeking refuge, US President Joe Biden has sought to meet with Israeli authorities. Speaking on behalf of the White House, John Kirby stated that the US was “disappointed” with Netanyahu’s choice. “We express our deep disappointment that they will not be visiting Washington, DC, so that we may hold a fruitful discussion with them regarding possible substitutes for their intervention on the ground in Rafah,” Kirby stated to the press. Separate meetings between US representatives and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant who is presently in Washington would continue to take place to discuss matters like the hostages, providing humanitarian supplies, and safeguarding civilians in Rafah.
US abstention: Implications and analysis
The resolution “must be implemented,” according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who also stated that “failure would be unforgivable” in a post on X. The vote took place in the midst of worldwide pleas to halt the conflict, which has lasted for over six months, as Israeli troops crush Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the beleaguered strip approaches catastrophic proportions.
The UN reported that Gaza is on the verge of starvation due to Israeli shelling and siege, which has forced more than 90% of the 2.3 million people living there to flee. According to Palestinian health officials, since October 7, the Israeli assault has killed over 32,000 Palestinians, the most of whom were women and children. Following an attack on southern Israel by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,139 people mostly civilians and the kidnapping of around 250 more according to Israeli estimates Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza.
Reaction from stakeholders
The ministry emphasized the significance of stepping up efforts to guarantee the entry of supplies, work toward the release of Palestinian detainees detained in Israeli jails, avoid forced displacement of Palestinians, and establish a lasting truce that lasts beyond Ramadan. Declaring in a statement that it “affirms readiness to engage in immediate prisoner swaps on both sides,” Hamas praised the decision.
France demanded that more be done to ensure that Israel and Hamas maintain a long-term peace. “This situation is still ongoing. Our council must continue to function and return to work right away. It will need to negotiate a permanent truce after Ramadan, which concludes in two weeks, according to French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere. The resolution that the US sponsored, endorsing “an immediate and sustained ceasefire,” was rejected by China and Russia, prompting the most recent vote.
Conclusion
In conclusion, According to Russian Ambassador Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, his nation hopes that Monday’s resolution would further the “inhumane Israeli operation against Palestinians” rather than the “interests of peace.” Russia attempted to advocate for the truce to be referred to as “permanent.” It had expressed concerns that, following Ramadan, Israel could be able to “resume its military operation in the Gaza Strip at any moment” if the term was dropped.