UNITED NATIONS: The United States deputy ambassador said that a new UN resolution on the war in Gaza said Wednesday that the news United Nations resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire and a halt to Israel’s offensive in Rafah would not yield the desired results.
Following an Israeli strike that killed 45 Palestinian civilians at a displaced persons camp in Rafah, Algeria convened an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday to address the escalating crisis.
Deputy US envoy Robert Wood conveyed the US position to reporters, emphasizing that the introduction of a new resolution may not significantly change the dynamics on the ground in Gaza. “We have said from the beginning that any kind of additional product on the situation right now probably is not going to be helpful,” Wood said.
Algeria urgently circulated a draft resolution among UN Security Council members, drawing upon the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice. The draft calls for an immediate cessation of Israel’s military offensive in Rafah, as well as a comprehensive ceasefire to be observed by all parties involved.
Despite the urgency of the situation, no vote on the proposed resolution has been scheduled as of yet. Wood reiterated the US stance, emphasizing the preference for regional negotiations as the most viable way to achieve a lasting ceasefire.
The United States, known for utilizing its veto power to shield Israel from international condemnation, has advocated for dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of resolving the conflict. Previous attempts at brokering a ceasefire through indirect talks in May proved unsuccessful, despite mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
The draft resolution, which draws on last week’s ruling by the International Court of Justice, “decides that Israel, the occupying Power, shall immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in Rafah.”
It also “demands an immediate ceasefire respected by all parties, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
In a meeting Wednesday many members of the UN Security Council noted the ruling last week by the International Court of Justice ordering Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah immediately.
The council has struggled to find a unified voice since the war broke out with the October 7 Palestinian resistance group Hamas attack on Israel.
Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 36,171 Palestinian people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
After passing two resolutions centered on the need for humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, in March the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire — an appeal that had been blocked several times before by the United States.
