According to Al Jazeera, the resolution Thursday called for the lifting of restrictions on Gaza, 14 of the Council’s 15 members, called “an immediate, unconditional, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which is respected by all parties,” and “respected by all parties.”
The resolution, drafted by 10 elected members of the council, went further than previous iterations to highlight what diplomats called Gaza’s “devastating” humanitarian situation after nearly two years of war in the Gaza Strip that killed at least 65,141 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
As expected, the US has rejected this effort in favor of the Israeli regime. “The US opposition to this resolution would not be surprising,” said Morgan Ortags, the deputy US envoy of the Middle East.
After the vote, Riyadh Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, said the US veto was “deeply regretful” and “prevented the Security Council from playing a legitimate role in the face of these atrocities.
“Unfortunately, the Council remains silent at a great expense due to its reliability and authority,” Mansour added. “This indicates that the use of veto should not be simply permitted in regards to atrocities.”
The UN Ambassador to Algeria, the United Nations Amal Bendjama, also had strong words. “Forgive us, Palestinian brothers, Palestinian sisters,” he said.
The UK representative at the Security Council meeting also said the UK is calling for Israel to stop the bloodshed and allow aid to enter Gaza.
MNA