Russia and China, wielding their veto powers in the U.N. Security Council, expressed concerns on Thursday about a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
Algeria, the Council’s sole Arab member, also indicated it was not prepared to endorse the resolution, according to diplomatic sources. For the resolution to pass, it requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the Council’s permanent members: the U.S., France, Britain, China, or Russia.
President Biden unveiled a three-phase ceasefire plan for the Gaza Strip a week ago, describing it as an Israeli initiative.
The U.S. has been seeking international backing for the plan, which Hamas is currently reviewing. The proposal was circulated in a one-page draft resolution to the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Monday, followed by a revised version on Wednesday, both of which were obtained by Reuters.
The draft resolution welcomes the ceasefire proposal, labeling it “acceptable” to Israel. It calls on Hamas to accept it and urges both parties to implement its terms promptly and unconditionally.
The document outlines key details of the proposal, with phase one involving a “full and complete ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip and phase two, contingent upon agreement by the parties, aiming for a “permanent end to hostilities.”
However, some Council members have questioned whether Israel has genuinely accepted the plan. They advocate for the Council to adhere to its March demand for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
READ ALSO:
Coco Gauff Defeated by Reigning Champion Iga Swiatek at French Open
In response, Russia proposed amendments to the U.S. draft, calling for both Hamas and Israel to accept the proposal and demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire respected by all parties.
Additionally, Moscow seeks to emphasize that the phase one ceasefire should remain effective while negotiations continue for phase two, mirroring Biden’s remarks from the previous week.
Negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been working for months to broker a ceasefire. Hamas has stated its desire for a permanent end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and for Israeli forces to withdraw from the enclave, home to 2.3 million people.
Israel’s military actions are in retaliation for an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages taken. As of now, more than 100 hostages are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza.
In response, Israel has launched a comprehensive air, ground, and sea assault on the blockaded Palestinian territory, resulting in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities.
The international community is closely watching these developments, with many hoping for a swift and lasting resolution to the conflict that has caused immense suffering on both sides. The U.N. Security Council’s decision on the proposed resolution will be a critical step in determining the future of the Gaza ceasefire plan and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.