United States’ Efforts for Gaza Cease-fire at UN Security Council

Prior to the vote, a representative for the United States stated, “This resolution is an opportunity for the Council to speak with one voice to support the diplomacy happening on the ground.”

TFD – Dive into the United States’ diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council for a Gaza cease-fire, impacting global diplomacy. Stay updated with TheFoxDaily.

The permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia, voted against a resolution spearheaded by the United States that called for an immediate and durable cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The resolution was therefore unable to pass.

The resolution, according to Russia’s ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia, was highly political and effectively gave Israel permission to launch a military operation in Rafah.

The vote took place at a time when the United States is putting more and more pressure on its ally over the Gaza situation. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel for tense negotiations that were probably going to focus on humanitarian aid and Israel’s demand for a ground invasion of the packed city of Rafah.

According to the U.S. resolution, a cease-fire is necessary to safeguard civilians and increase assistance distribution to the over 2 million Palestinians who are in danger of starvation.

A prior draft of the resolution had no direct connection to the release of those detained after Hamas’ surprise strikes on Israel on October 7, even though it would have backed international efforts for a cease-fire as part of a hostage agreement. Nonetheless, it would categorically back diplomatic attempts “to secure such a cease-fire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages” “toward that end.”

Ahead of the vote by the 15 Security Council members, Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the U.N., said in a statement that the U.S. had been “working in earnest with Council members over the last several weeks on a resolution that will unequivocally support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal.”

Ahead of the vote by the 15 Security Council members, Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the U.N., said in a statement that the U.S. had been “working in earnest with Council members over the last several weeks on a resolution that will unequivocally support ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal.”

The resolution marked a toughening of the U.S. stance toward Israel in the war nearing its sixth month. Washington, which traditionally protects Israel at the U.N., has vetoed three draft resolutions, two of which would have demanded an immediate cease-fire. Last month it justified that veto by saying it could jeopardize talks about a truce.

This was the council’s fourth attempt to adopt a cease-fire resolution of any type. Three resolutions have already been vetoed by US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield: in October, December, and again this past month.

United Kingdom abstained from one vote and 13 votes in favor of the resolution proposed by Algeria in February. Those who condemned the United States for voting against the resolution a third time included China and Russia.

Friday’s vote came after a report from the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative warned that “famine is imminent” in northern Gaza and escalation of the war could push half of Gaza’s total population to the brink of starvation.

The international community is putting increasing pressure on Israel to open land border crossings into Gaza and permit more supplies to enter the enclave, including from some of its closest allies.

Additionally, earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden got into a public spat over Netanyahu’s intentions to launch a military offensive on Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, where over a million Palestinians are seeking refuge after Israel’s military campaign in the northern part of the enclave uprooted many of them.

The resolution also supported the cease-fire negotiations being mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar and stressed support for using the truce time to step up efforts toward “lasting peace.” According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office on Thursday, Israeli delegates were being led by David Barnea, the director of Israel’s Mossad espionage organization.

Following Blinken’s discussions with Netanyahu and his war cabinet in Israel, the vote was taken. Blinken promised to present options to Israel’s proposed ground invasion of Rafah prior to their meeting.

Blinken also held meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Egypt to talk about ideas for Gaza’s post-conflict future and efforts to maintain a cease-fire.