Un Security Council In Talks On Resolving Israel-Hamas Conflict

Amid escalating tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, members of the United Nations Security Council convened on Sunday for challenging negotiations, presenting two distinct draft resolutions for consideration, according to diplomatic sources. Last Friday, Russia circulated its draft resolution, advocating for "an immediate, durable, and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire" in response to the conflict ignited by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. This draft underscores the urgent need for "unimpeded" humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, which has faced an extended Israeli blockade, further exacerbated by recent hostilities that have disrupted critical supplies, including electricity and food. The Russian proposal, reviewed by AFP, "strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism" without explicitly naming Hamas. Conversely, the United States is calling for the condemnation of the Hamas attacks as acts of terrorism and has offered an alternative draft. Diplomats have revealed that a competing resolution, backed by Brazil, explicitly denounces Hamas's actions as terrorism. The toll from the conflict continues to mount, with over 1,400 fatalities in Israel, as reported by the Israeli prime minister's office on Sunday. In Gaza, where Israeli retaliatory strikes have taken a severe toll, the death count stands at 2,450, according to the health ministry. Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed that some council members have expressed a "positive" perspective regarding Moscow's draft during a closed-door meeting held on Friday. Following the solicitation of suggestions for potential amendments, Russia has requested Brazil, the current chair of the council, to schedule a vote on the resolution for Monday. However, at the time of reporting, no vote had been confirmed, diplomats have disclosed. To pass, a resolution necessitates at least nine votes from the 15-member council and cannot be vetoed by any of the five permanent members: the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia. As discussions continue, it is evident that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once again poses a significant challenge within the Security Council. In theory, if the Russian draft fails to secure approval, any council member could submit their own resolution for consideration. The diplomatic endeavors within the United Nations reflect the pressing global concern to seek a peaceful resolution to the escalating crisis.