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As the escalation in Gaza appears to show no end, the world’s gaze today is on the UN Security Council, which is unable to reach a unanimous rejection of the violence unleashed.
After nearly two weeks of conflict and four meetings, the United Nations’ top security body has yet to table a draft resolution, despite warnings of an escalation of the conflict that began on October 7.
The only organization on the planet responsible for maintaining international peace and security this week analyzed two drafts, the first from Russia and the other later from Brazil, to call for a ceasefire.
However, both failed in their first attempts.
Last Monday, Russia presented its proposal explicitly calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The project, which is also supported by China, the United Arab Emirates, Gabon and Mozambique, was unable to attract the required nine votes within the 15-member committee.
The missions of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Japan rejected the text, while Albania, Brazil, Ghana, Malta, Switzerland and Ecuador abstained.
Moscow’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, deplored the outcome and the “selfish intentions of the bloc of Western countries.”
“This is the only reason why (the Council) could not send a clear, powerful and collective message to reduce tensions; “We are talking about the worst explosion of violence in recent decades,” he emphasized.
The whole world had been waiting with bated breath for the Security Council to take measures to end the bloodshed, but the delegations of Western countries had essentially trampled on these expectations, the Russian diplomat emphasized.
For her part, North American representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield justified her country’s position by the lack of condemnation in the text of the Hamas group, which she described as “terrorist.”
Two days later, the United States vetoed another project prepared by Brazil that called for humanitarian pauses on the importation of aid into the Gaza Strip.
The US ambassador said the decision was because there was no mention of “Israel’s right to self-defense.”
Thomas-Greenfield also recalled that President Joe Biden remained in Israel and therefore any diplomatic action within the body would have to wait.
The heavily criticized decision wiped out the second option a day after hundreds of Palestinians died following the attack on Al-Ahli Hospital.
The meetings appear to confirm warnings of divisions in the Security Council and the need for reform, but the urgency of the conflict requires immediate responses.
The solution could lie in the submission of a third draft or in a vote or a formal meeting of member states within the 78th General Assembly chaired by Dennis Francis.
According to the organization itself, urgent global debates can lead to collective action.
“In the event of an ongoing conflict, this action may be to help stop the bloodshed, establish a ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of local civilians,” the United Nations says on its website.
Meanwhile, United Nations efforts are focused on good offices, appeals to allow vital aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, and the work of humanitarian organizations on the ground.
This Thursday, Secretary General António Guterres traveled to Egypt to present his two urgent demands: the release of hostages in the hands of Hamas and the passage of trucks carrying humanitarian supplies.
The civilian population in Gaza urgently needs basic services and supplies, and this requires rapid and unhindered access, he stressed.
“We need food, water, medicine and fuel now, we need it on a large scale and we need it sustainably,” he added. “We know that the danger of violence spilling over becomes even greater,” he warned.
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