Russia and China have vetoed a US proposed resolution in the United Nations (UN) Security Council on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip linked to the release of hostages, which is limited to a call for support for diplomacy.
The draft resolution of the United States of America on Gaza was put to a vote in the 15-member UN Security Council.
The draft was vetoed by two permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia and China, Algeria voted “against”, and Guyana abstained.
The draft resolution, which was supported by the other 11 members of the UN Security Council, was not accepted due to the veto of the permanent members.
The final version of the draft resolution, which the US opened for discussion on February 20, was limited to a call to support diplomacy by linking the Gaza ceasefire to the release of the hostages.
Pointing to the importance of turning the truce to be achieved through diplomatic efforts into a sustainable ceasefire, the draft states that “Hamas and other terrorist and extremist groups do not represent the Palestinian people” and that Hamas “has been designated a terrorist organization by some member states.”
The draft resolution points out that Gaza was part of the occupied territories in 1967 and supports a two-state solution.
“It is important to support diplomatic efforts to secure an immediate and sustainable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, to deliver the necessary humanitarian aid, to reduce suffering and to achieve this ceasefire with the release of all remaining prisoners “, the draft resolution states.
The draft calls on all parties to respect international law and international humanitarian law, and demands the protection of civilians and civil infrastructure and the provision of access to humanitarian aid.
It opposes the forced displacement of civilians in Gaza and states that this would violate international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
After October 7, 2023, with today nine draft resolutions regarding Gaza were put to a vote in the UN Security Council, AA writes.
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