The United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Switzerland, and Malta broke the silent procedure that the United States had put in place, until Monday morning, on its draft amended Security Council resolution regarding the war in Gaza, which means that these countries do not accept the American proposals in their current form that deal with what is happening. As an exclusive result of the “terrorist” attack carried out by Hamas against Israel on October 7, instead of placing it in the context of the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

This disagreement indicates that the Security Council is still far from the possibility of reaching a reasonable consensus to negotiate a draft resolution, which the United States could put in blue ink for a vote on in the near future, especially since Russian and Chinese diplomats requested more time, in order to “consult” With capitals” before requesting any additional amendments. While their Emirati, Swiss and Maltese counterparts repeated the demand for a “balanced text” that focuses first on a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to more than two million Palestinian civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip, according to what diplomats revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Modifications required

A diplomat, who requested that his name not be published due to the accuracy of the ongoing deliberations on the draft resolution, revealed that “France requested the introduction of several amendments that focus on the necessity of demanding a ceasefire and creating spaces for humanitarian truces,” working to “avoid the expansion of the war regionally,” and working toward a two-state solution. Between Palestinians and Israelis. As for Switzerland and Malta, they “focus primarily on humanitarian aspects and compliance with international laws regarding the repercussions of war,” in addition to a clear focus on “demanding humanitarian truces.”

The United States prepared its amended draft resolution, based on international norms and conventions that became widespread in the context of the war on terrorism, as the introduction to its preamble stems from the fact that “the Security Council, recalling its resolutions regarding the fight against terrorism, and against the kidnapping of civilians and holding them hostage by terrorist organizations (... Expressing its deep concern about cases of discrimination, intolerance and violent extremism (...), and reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Note that the amended American text added phrases to express “deep concern about the deteriorating situation in the region,” while emphasizing “the necessity of protecting all civilian populations, including Israelis and Palestinians.”

Source: Al-Sharq al Awsat