The United States, in its first resolution at the United Nations (UN) Security Council, is anticipated to call for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas terrorists. This resolution, which is expected to be presented on Tuesday (20), requests that Israeli forces abstain from carrying out a ground offensive in Rafah, in the southern region of Gaza.
This resolution presents an alternative to a different text proposed by Algeria, which advocates for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The US representative at the UN, Robert Wood, has indicated that the United States plans to oppose the Algerian resolution.
Wood communicated to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York that “If this resolution is ultimately voted on, it will not be successful.”
As per the British newspaper The Guardian, the resolution that the US is expected to present criticizes Hamas for the terrorist attack carried out on October 7, which resulted in the death of hostages, murders and abuses. The resolution also stresses that a ground offensive in Rafah could have severe repercussions for civilians as well as regional peace and security.
In addition to these points, the US draft resolution calls for the protection of civilians and for the provision of humanitarian aid in the enclave.
This marks the first time that the US has explicitly supported a ceasefire, even if it is a temporary one, in the war that has been ongoing since the attacks carried out by Palestinian terrorists.
Recent reports from the American media suggest that US President Joe Biden has been pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
In Europe, Hungary blocked a request from the European Union (EU) for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip on Monday. This pause could have potentially led to a ceasefire in the conflict.
All other countries in the bloc had agreed to the request, but it was prevented from being presented due to opposition from Budapest. For official demands to be presented in the EU, they must be unanimously approved.
In response to Hungary’s veto, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, read out a statement at a press conference. This statement, which was supported by the 26 other countries, called for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid in the Palestinian enclave.
Borrell also reiterated his appeal to the Israeli government on Monday, asking them not to carry out a military mission in Rafah, which he believes could exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and hinder the provision of essential services and humanitarian aid.
The EU high representative acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense, but emphasized the importance of protecting all civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times.
Hungary not only blocked the EU’s request but also prevented the European bloc from approving sanctions against Israeli settlers who are accused of attacking Palestinians in the West Bank. In response to this veto, Spain, the Republic of Ireland, and Belgium have decided to push for individual sanctions.
