UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has convened an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, intensifying the crisis in the region as Israel prepares for a potential ground offensive.
The UN Security Council is set to begin deliberations at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT), with diplomats revealing discussions about a draft resolution, primarily proposed by Russia, urging an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza amid dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The UN agency responsible for supporting Palestinian refugees has issued a dire warning, stating that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of an “unprecedented human catastrophe” unless the supply of vital resources, including water, food, and medical supplies is restored promptly by Israeli authorities.
Russia’s draft resolution explicitly calls for the “unimpeded” delivery of humanitarian aid and demands “an immediate” end of hostilities. Additionally, the resolution “strongly urges” the provision of essential goods to innocent Palestinian civilians and advocates for “humanitarian pauses” to allow humanitarian aid workers access to the affected areas.
Adoption of Resolution at UN Security Council
For a resolution to be adopted, it requires a minimum of nine votes among the 15-member Security Council, and it cannot be vetoed by any of the five permanent members, which include the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia. Diplomats involved in the discussions have described the talks as challenging, reflecting the longstanding divisions within the council regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The current escalation in violence occurred after Israel declared war on Gaza in response to the attack from the Hamas resistance group, which managed to breach the heavily fortified border. The Israeli bombardment on Gaza has tragically martyred at least 2,750 innocent Palestinian civilians, a majority of whom are children, women, and elderly individuals.
