Despite the positive vote of thirteen countries and Britain’s abstention, the proposed United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza was not adopted, after the US used its veto power as permanent members. The American mood was as expected, as Representative Robert A. Wood had claimed that the ceasefire would only serve to “plant the seeds for the next war, as Hamas has no desire for a lasting peace.” Wood believed the resolution was “unbalanced”, “far from reality” and would have no practical impact on the ground.
The appeal of the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who resorted to Article 99 of the UN Charter to oblige the Security Council and discuss the issue, was of no avail. The Portuguese described an “unprecedented situation” in the Gaza Strip and said it led to his “unprecedented decision to invoke Article 99,” urging that body to “insist on avoiding a human catastrophe and calling for until the declaration of a humanitarian ceasefire”. And he insisted: “The eyes of the world and the eyes of history are watching. It is time to act.”
Guterres reiterated his condemnation of “the brutal terrorist attack” by Hamas on October 7, stressing that “there is no possible justification for the deliberate killing of approximately 1,200 people, including 33 children” or the taking of hundreds of hostages. However, he defended “Hamas’ brutality can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”.
The Secretary General spoke of the more than 17,000 Palestinians who have already been killed in Israeli attacks, including 7,000 children, in addition to the destruction of 60% of the enclave’s homes and the fact that 85% of the population has been forced to flee. “Although the arbitrary launch of rockets Because Hamas is against Israel and using civilians as human shields violates the laws of war, such behavior does not absolve Israel of its own violations.”
Guterres claimed that the situation is becoming “unsustainable” because “the conditions for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid no longer exist.” And he recalled that the border at Rafah, between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, was not designed to allow hundreds of trucks to pass through. Even if this aid could arrive, he indicated, restrictions on movement and constant bombing, in addition to fuel shortages, make it impossible to reach those who need it.
The Portuguese defended that “there is no effective protection of civilians” in the Palestinian enclave, that food is running out and that the health care system is “collapsed” despite growing needs. “The people of Gaza are ordered to move as… flippers people, ricocheting between smaller and smaller areas in the south, without any basic element for survival. But no place in Gaza is safe.”the Secretary General emphasized.
Eliminate Hamas
The Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, took the floor and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “sacrificing” both Palestinians and Israelis in the name of their “political survival.” And he also accused him of pursuing ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.
For his part, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan again criticized Guterres for using Article 99, saying that Hamas was the one who broke the ceasefire – on October 7. “The irony is that regional stability and security for both Israelis and Gazans can only be achieved if Hamas is eliminated, and not a minute sooner,” he said. “Therefore, the true way to ensure peace is only through support for the Israeli mission, and not through a call for a ceasefire.” he added.
The United Arab Emirates’ draft resolution – which received the support of at least 97 member states – demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, in addition to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. He further urged that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected.
“While the US strongly supports a lasting peace in which both Israel and Palestine can live in peace and security, we do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire.” the US representative had said. “This would only sow the seeds for the next war, as Hamas has no desire for lasting peace or a two-state solution,” Wood added.
Out of five attempts, only one resolution was passed by the Security Council in mid-November, calling for “urgent and comprehensive humanitarian breaks and corridors.” The US, along with Britain and Russia, abstained at the time.
Source: DN
