On Tuesday, the United States rejected a resolution from the UN Security Council that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on the region intensified worries about an escalating humanitarian crisis.
International forces attempting to steer through the escalating crisis have yet to find success, with mediators’ efforts to establish a truce remaining unproductive so far, and the UN being presented with two conflicting ceasefire suggestions.
#NSTworld #israel kept up its deadly bombardment of war-torn #Gaza as Washington vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for a #ceasefire in the #Palestinian territory, where concern mounted about a growing humanitarian crisis.https://t.co/nKvpcGDHxH#UNSC…
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) February 21, 2024
The first proposal, which was put together by Algeria and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the “unconditional” release of all hostages taken in the attacks on October 7, was vetoed by Washington on Tuesday.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Washington’s representative to the UN, labeled the vote as “wishful and irresponsible”, expressing concerns that it could endanger “sensitive negotiations”.
As US President Joe Biden is confronted with escalating demands to reduce backing for Israel, an alternate draft resolution on Gaza has been proposed by Washington.
The document, reviewed by AFP, underscores the “endorsement for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza when feasible” and articulates apprehension for Rafah.
As per a diplomatic insider, the draft in its present state has a slim likelihood of acceptance and faces the threat of a Russian veto.
While diplomatic forces engaged in disputes, Israel persisted with air raids and terrestrial warfare on Gaza, resulting in the death of 103 Palestinians in the preceding 24 hours, as reported by its health ministry.
The United Nations has consistently raised concerns about the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza and cautioned that scarcity of food could trigger a surge in avoidable child fatalities.
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