It’s Deputy ambassador, on Monday said that the United States is cautious of a new UN resolution on the war in Gaza, as a draft seeks an immediate ceasefire and a halt to Israel’s offensive in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza strip.
On Tuesday, Algeria called an urgent UN Security Council meeting after an Israeli strike that killed 45 people at a tent camp in Rafah which was for displaced people, on Sunday, bringing out international criticism. Deputy US envoy Robert Wood told reporters, “We’ve said from the beginning that any kind of additional product on the situation right now probably is not going to be helpful” “It’s not going to change the situation on the ground.”
Algeria started circulating its draft among the fellow members of the UN Security Council after the emergency meeting. The draft resolution, “decides that Israel, the occupying Power, shall immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in Rafah.” It also “demands an immediate ceasefire respected by all parties, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” Wood added “We don’t think another resolution is really going to change the dynamics on the ground.”
Wood said the United States, which freely uses its veto power to protect Israel, believes that discussions in the region are the proper way to achieve a ceasefire. In early May indirect talks between Israel and Hamas failed to attain a ceasefire and hostage and prisoner release deal. Qatar, Egypt and the United States acted as mediators. The council has struggled to find a unified voice since the war broke out with the 7th October Hamas attack on Israel, followed by Israel’s retaliatory campaign. As per an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures, The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed approximately 36,171 people in Gaza, majorly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. After passing two resolutions centered on the need for humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, the Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in March an appeal that had been blocked multiple times before by the United States, Israel’s main ally.
Washington, gradually frustrated with how Israel is carrying on the war and its mounting civilian death toll, finally allowed that resolution to pass by abstaining from voting.
Author: Sangi Roy
Student of mass communication with a deep passion for print media and reading. My hobbies include traveling, exploring ancient history, and visiting museums.
