The UN Security Council voted against a cat in the dark about the U.S.-Israel agreement to the cease-fire deal in the Gaza conflict
The draft resolution states that Israel has accepted the U.S. proposal but calls for Hamas to do the same. Russia and China and Algeria, the only Arab member of the Security Council, had said in back-channel negotiations that the text appeared too lopsided in favor of Israel.
The United States asked the Security Council members to take its word that Israel was on board, but refused to include language that would let it be understood that Israel accepted the deal.
Ever since the war started eight months ago, the Security Council has been in a deadlock over finding a way to end the conflict and fulfill its mandate to uphold international peace and stability.
The Chinese said that it had voted in favor of the truce because they wanted to see the fighting end and the hostages released.
“We still have valid concerns on whether the parties concerned will accept the terms of the cease-fire and whether the arrangement can be carried out smoothly,” he said.
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted the U.S. backed cease-fire plan for Gaza after Russia decided not to block it.
The council passed a resolution that was a diplomatic victory for Washington, which had been opposed to three previous cease-fire resolutions.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said that the only way to end this cycle of violence is through a political settlement.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said that the United States would work to make sure that Israel agreed to the deal and that Qatar and Egypt would work to bring Hamas to the negotiating table.
The second phase calls for a permanent cease-fire with the agreement of both parties, and the third phase would consist of a multiyear reconstruction plan for Gaza and return of the remains of deceased hostages.
Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, Israel’s representative to the UN, did not say that her country had accepted the terms, but she did tell us that it would use military operations to free hostages.
Ms. Shapir Ben-Naftaly said that they would continue until all of the hostages were returned. She said if Hamas leaders freed all hostages and turned themselves in, “not one shot would be fired.”
Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, said that the council remained in the dark about the deal and voted for a cat in the bag.
The council voted 14 to 0 with Russia abstaining.
“Israel has already agreed to this deal and the fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same. I said the fighting could end today.
“If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to abide by it.” If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes,” Blinken said in Cairo earlier Monday.
Hamas had called off negotiations after Israel rescued four hostages held in Gaza in an operation this weekend that also killed more than 270 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
This text is imperfect, but it offers hope to the Palestinians if they don’t continue killing and suffering. “We voted for this text because it gave diplomacy a chance.”
