Tensionsbrew between the United States and Israel after Washington allowed the UNSC to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Israel has cancelled a meeting with the United States (U.S.) after the U.S. stood aside and allowed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution, put forward by the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC, demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the urgent need to expand the flow of aid into Gaza.
The U.N. vote came as tensions grow over a looming Israeli military operation in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. The US has been calling on Israel to explain how it will protect the 1.4 million Palestinians seeking refuge there ahead of the expected incursion, which the U.S. said would be a mistake.”
Taking it to X, the United Nations tweeted,
In favour: 14
— United Nations (@UN) March 25, 2024
Against: 0
Abstention: 1
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages.https://t.co/nOBuQOkxnj pic.twitter.com/QkZ7J7wHgi
Since the start of the conflict, the U.S. has used its veto power to block three Security Council resolutions calling for pauses in the fighting or a ceasefire. Another two have been vetoed by both Russia and China. However, on Monday, i.e., 25th March’24, the U.S. did not use its veto power. The 14 other members of the council, including the United Kingdom (U.K.) voted in favour, meaning the resolution passed.
A Statement from the Prime Minister of Israel – Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office read, “Today’s resolution gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages, thus harming both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages.”
It added that “in light of the change in the U.S. position”, a planned visit by an Israeli delegation to the U.S. this week would not go ahead. Israeli and U.S. officials had been due to meet to discuss Israel’s planned offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians have sought shelter, having fled the fighting elsewhere in Gaza. The U.S. Secretary of State – Antony Blinken has said publicly that a ground operation in Rafah risks killing more civilians and is “not the way” to defeat Hamas.
Responding to the Israeli decision, the U.S. National Security Council spokesman – John Kirby, said it is disappointing but reiterated the U.S. view that “a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a major mistake.”
UNSC resolutions are widely considered to be legally binding on U.N. Member States, although the U.S. has said it does not consider Monday’s vote to be binding on Israel.
The Palestinian Representative to the U.N. – Riyad Mansour, welcomed the resolution but said it was overdue.
He said, “It has taken six months, over 100,000 Palestinians killed and maimed, two million displaced, and famine, for this council to finally demand an immediate ceasefire.”
Besides, Hamas has said that it is ready to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides. Talks between Israeli and Hamas representatives continue via mediators in Qatar. A deal currently being proposed would see 40 Israeli hostages released in exchange for 800 Palestinian prisoners.
Separately, the United Kingdom (U.K.) said that it had carried out its first airdrop of food into Gaza. The Royal Air Force drop included 10 tonnes of supplies, which included water, rice, cooking oil, flour, tinned goods and baby formula. The U.K. has also called on Israel to allow more aid via Gaza’s ports and to open more land crossings into the territory.
