Two More Resolutions to End War on Gaza Fail at UN Security Council

By Staff, Agencies

The United Nations Security Council has once again failed to act on the ‘Israeli’ war on Gaza despite a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

Russia and China on Wednesday vetoed a United States resolution that called for a humanitarian pause to allow humanitarian aid access, the protection of civilians and a stop to arming Hamas and other resistance groups in the Gaza Strip.

A rival text put forward by Moscow then failed to draw sufficient support.

The US had toned down an initial draft released over the weekend after diplomats expressed shock at its failure to recognize the humanitarian crisis and its bold statement that ‘Israel’ had a right to defend itself.

After the failure of the US resolution, the Security Council voted on a Russian-drafted text that called for a humanitarian ceasefire and withdrawal of ‘Israel’ in order for civilians in Gaza to relocate south ahead of a ground assault.

It was Russia’s second attempt at a resolution but the effort secured only four votes. Its first attempt on October 16 received the support of five council members.

Amid the council deadlock, the 193-member UN General Assembly will vote on Friday on a draft resolution put forward by Arab states and others calling for an immediate ceasefire. No country holds a veto in the General Assembly and while its resolutions are non-binding, they carry political weight.