22 March 2024

Peace and Security

A draft resolution from the United States is due to be voted on in the UN Security Council on Friday which says it is "imperative" to have “an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides”, facilitate “essential” aid delivery and support ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas militants to create a sustainable end to the hostilities, tied to the release of all hostages. Follow the full story here live.

09:00 AM

Japan has the presidency this month, and their ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki is due to gavel the meeting open very soon.

08:50 AM - After weeks of behind the scenes negotiations among Security Council members in New York, the US draft marks a shift in position from the last time members met on 20 February when the US used its veto

Back then, 13 countries were in favour of the resolution, with the UK abstaining. The US based it opposition on the need to not interfere with “sensitive ongoing negotiations” and introduced a separate resolution condemning Hamas which would work towards a temporary ceasefire, based on the release of hostages.

What’s the US resolution calling for?

  • Makes imperative an immediate and sustained ceasefire with an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance
  • Israel and all armed groups must comply with their obligations under international law, providing protection for humanitarian workers and medical personnel
  • Condemns all acts of terrorism
  • Rejects any forced displacement
  • Demands that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian
  • Underscores the Council’s full support for the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator Sigrid Kaag, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, so they can establish the new UN aid mechanism under previous resolution 2720
  • Stressed the importance of the Senior Coordinator leading efforts for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza
  • Demands all parties respect humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanisms in place to prevent civilian deaths
  • Rejects any action by Israel that could “reduce the territory of Gaza” and condemns calls from some Israeli ministers for the resettlement of Gaza or demographic changes
  • Reaffirms condemnation of the ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen on shipping in the Red Sea
  • Reiterates the Security Council’s “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”

Here are the HIGHLIGHTS from the last time the Council held a vote on Gaza on 20 February:

  • US uses veto power to quash Algeria’s draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and presents rival text that would condemn Hamas but also support a temporary ceasefire
  • The US is expected to circulate its own draft later on Tuesday but news reports suggest negotiations will be far from easy, with both Russia and China voicing strong opposition to the third use of a veto by the US on ceasefire resolutions
  • Council members lament continued suffering in Gaza and lambast possible Israeli military operation into Rafah
  • Algeria’s ambassador says it will continue to "knock at the Council’s door" to maximize pressure on Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire which will end the bloodshed
  • “This veto does not absolve Israel of its obligations,” says the ambassador for the observer State of Palestine
  • A ceasefire would be “a death sentence”, for Israelis and ordinary Gazans alike, says Israel’s ambassador
  • Qatar's ambassador, speaking for the Gulf Cooperation Council, says her delegation will continue its facilitating efforts to free all hostages, protect civilians and secure a ceasefire
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147856