MOSCOW: Russia and the United Arab Emirates have jointly called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council in response to the recent devastating strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a tragic loss of over 100 lives. The strike, a brazen act that shook the international community, has ignited heightened concern for the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanski, conveyed the urgency of the matter through a statement on Telegram, announcing the call for an immediate Security Council meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the morning of October 18, aiming to address the pressing issue and discuss potential actions to mitigate the escalating crisis in the region.
This development follows the Security Council’s previous rejection of a resolution put forth by Russia, primarily focusing on condemning the increasing violence in the Middle East. The earlier resolution faced opposition, with delegates hesitant to support a motion that didn’t explicitly denounce Hamas for its unexpected assault on Israel.
Israel, in response to the attack, initiated a series of air strikes, resulting in an alarming death toll of about 3,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip. The Security Council, determined to address the crisis and condemn the actions of Hamas unequivocally, plans to deliberate on a secondary proposal. The new resolution, presented by Brazil, contains unequivocal language condemning the Islamist group and has garnered broader support among council members.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday evening, the vote on this crucial resolution has been postponed to Wednesday at approximately 1400 GMT, allowing further deliberation and consideration of the grave situation in the Gaza Strip.
The international community closely watches the developments, hoping for diplomatic efforts to bring peace and stability to the region amid these distressing circumstances.
