UN Security Council members held challenging discussions on Sunday regarding a potential resolution concerning the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Diplomats revealed that two drafts were under consideration.
On Friday, Russia presented a draft that called for an “immediate, durable, and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire” in the conflict initiated by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. This draft also emphasized the need for unimpeded humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which had already been under an Israeli blockade for years and was now enduring a full-scale siege, resulting in severe shortages of essentials like electricity and food supplies.
ALSO READ: Understanding Dandruff: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
The Russian draft strongly condemned all acts of violence and hostilities directed against civilians and acts of terrorism, although it did not explicitly mention Hamas. In contrast, the United States insisted that the Council classify the Hamas attacks as acts of terrorism. A competing draft from Brazil explicitly did so, according to diplomats.
As of Sunday, more than 1,400 individuals were reported killed in Israel since the outbreak of violence initiated by Hamas militants. In Gaza, the death toll from Israeli retaliatory attacks rose to 2,450, according to the health ministry.
ALSO READ: UAE’s Umm Al Quwain Police Launch Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s UN ambassador, noted that some Council members had expressed a “positive” view of Moscow’s draft during a closed-door meeting on Friday. Following a call for suggested changes to the text, Russia asked Brazil, the current chair of the Council, to schedule a vote on Monday. However, as of now, no vote has been scheduled.
For a resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine votes from the 15-member Security Council and must not be vetoed by any of the five permanent members (the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia).
ALSO READ: Massive 35-Meter Baleen Whale Found Dead Off the Coast of Ras Al Khaimah
The discussions remained challenging, as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict consistently divides the Council. In theory, if the Russian draft is not approved, a text sponsored by Brazil or another Council member could be put up for a vote.
SOURCE: VARIOUS NEWS PORTALS
