Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
Aid organizations “horrified” by failed UN resolution
December 9, 2023, 11:27 a.m
The fact that the United Nations Security Council is not calling for a ceasefire in Gaza is sparking protests – from aid organizations and Iran. The decisive factor was a veto by the USA. But the German Foreign Minister also opposes the plans.
Several international aid organizations have sharply criticized the failure of the draft resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza war in the UN Security Council. “We are appalled that the UN Security Council has failed to approve a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of the hostages held in Gaza,” said a statement from Save the Children, Action Against the Hunger, Care International and other organizations.
Implementing the resolution would have provided much-needed respite to Gaza’s civilians amid the ongoing bombardment. It was an opportunity to stop the violence. “Gaza is now the deadliest place for civilians in the world,” it said.
On Friday, a draft resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza war failed in the UN Security Council. Although 13 of the 15 members of the UN body voted in favor in New York, the USA, as Israel’s ally, vetoed the draft introduced by the United Arab Emirates. Britain abstained on the grounds that Hamas terrorism had not been sufficiently condemned in the draft resolution.
The resolution’s call for an immediate ceasefire would allow Hamas “to repeat what it did on October 7,” said U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood, referring to the Palestinian organization’s brutal attack on Israel , which triggered the war.
Baerbock was also critical
Germany currently does not have a seat on the UN Security Council and was therefore not involved in the vote. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also rejected calls for a general ceasefire on Friday. Israel will continue to be attacked, said the Green politician at the World Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai. “That’s why an emotionally obvious demand like that for a general ceasefire de facto comes to nothing because it doesn’t provide an answer to how Hamas’ terror will stop, how Hamas will lay down its weapons, how Israel can be safe again.”
Germany expects “that Israel will adapt its military approach to alleviate civilian suffering, that it will allow more humanitarian aid, especially to the north, that it will be more targeted militarily and accept fewer civilian casualties,” Baerbock continued. She is also working to ensure that there are humanitarian breaks in the war, which has now lasted two months, and that “a political horizon for a two-state solution” is maintained.
After the US veto in the UN Security Council, Iran warned of an “uncontrolled explosion” in the Middle East. According to his ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also called for the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to be opened immediately so that humanitarian aid could reach the Palestinian territory in a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to his ministry. Iran is considered a sponsor and ally of Hamas. Experts believe that Hamas may have known about the murderous attack on October 7th in advance.
The UN Security Council has five permanent members: USA, Russia, Great Britain, France and China. The ten non-permanent members each have a seat for two years. Included are, among others, Brazil, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.