HAMILTON, NOV 21 – The United States (US) used its veto power against a draft resolution of the United Nations (UN) Security Council yesterday that called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution also called for the prevention of starvation among the Palestinian population, the Agency reported Anatolia.
The draft resolution submitted by the nine non-permanent members of the Security Council including Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Switzerland received 14 votes.
The resolution called for, “an immediate, unconditional, and permanent cease-fire that must be respected by all parties,” while reiterating, “the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners,” and urged the Security Council to fulfill its responsibility to maintain international peace and security.
It also highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for, “immediate access by the civilian population in the Gaza Strip to basic services and humanitarian assistance essential for their survival.”
The draft Resolution rejects, “any effort to starve the Palestinian population” and calls for, “the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the rest of the region.”
In addition, it urges all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, particularly in relation to the protection of civilians and public infrastructure, as well as demanding the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2735, which includes provisions on prisoners, Palestinian detainees, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The resolution also asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report on its implementation and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Gaza within 90 days.
However, the US veto prevented the implementation of the measures.
Ahead of the expected US veto, Anatolia reported Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s representative to the UN, said that, “the resolution presented before the Council is the result of several weeks of negotiations between all members of the Council.”
“It is motivated by the Council’s deep concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, including what is happening in Northern Gaza, and the need for an immediate response to the situation,” he said.
Deputy US Representative to the UN, Robert Wood, said after the vote, “We have made it clear throughout the negotiations that we cannot support an unconditional ceasefire that fails to ensure the release of prisoners,” adding that, “a lasting cessation of hostilities must be accompanied by the release of prisoners.” “
“In short, this resolution will send a dangerous message to Hamas. There is no need to return to the negotiating table,” he said, claiming that the Palestinian militant group rejected the ceasefire agreement.
The US has previously three times vetoed draft Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in October 2023, December 2023, and February, in addition to abstaining in several other resolution votes. – Named
