Gaza truce resolution hangs at UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS—A vote at the UN Security Council on a new text calling for an “immediate” ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war was postponed to Monday, diplomatic sources told AFP, after Russia and China vetoed on Friday a separate, US-lead draft resolution.
The United States, Israel’s main ally and military backer, had put forward a resolution mentioning “the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” and condemning the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
In vetoing the US resolution, which was also opposed by Arab states, Russia and China said the document stopped short of explicitly demanding Israel immediately end its campaign in Gaza.
The new ceasefire text was meant to go to a vote on Saturday, but was pushed back to allow further discussions, the diplomatic sources said.
Tougher
The new, tougher draft resolution, seen by AFP, “demands an immediate ceasefire” that leads “to a permanent sustainable ceasefire” respected by all sides. Eight of the council’s 10 nonpermanent members have been working on the (new) draft, which also calls for the “immediate and unconditional” release of hostages seized by Hamas and the lifting of “all barriers” to humanitarian aid flowing into the Gaza Strip.
But US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield indicated opposition, saying the resolution would jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages—the same reason the United States gave before vetoing previous ceasefire resolutions.
Friday’s text did not explicitly use the word “call,” but simply stated that a ceasefire was imperative, and linked to ongoing talks, led by Qatar with support from the United States and Egypt, to halt fighting in return for Hamas releasing hostages.
“If the United States is serious about a ceasefire, then please vote in favor of the other draft resolution, clearly calling for a ceasefire,” China’s representative, Zhang Jun, said. —AFP
