On February 20, the United States vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution, proposed by Algeria, that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, the United States drafted an alternative resolution that advocated for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza linked to the release of hostages.
Regional sources report on the rival resolutions:
Highlighted in the New Arab, the two resolutions diverge because Algeria’s proposal demands “ an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties” and the United States’ resolution calls for a “temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable, based on the formula of all hostages being released.”
The U.S. draft resolution also “oppos[ed] an Israeli ground offensive on the southern city of Rafah,” where over 1.4 million Palestinians have fled for safety. Al Jazeera quoted Washington’s proposal: “The Security Council should underscore that such a major ground offensive should not proceed, under the current circumstances.”
Al Arabiya News outlined U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s analysis of the draft resolutions in the context of the ongoing ceasefire-for-hostage talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar. She assessed that “it is critical that other parties give this process the best odds of succeeding, rather than push measures that put it – and the opportunity for an enduring resolution of hostilities – in jeopardy.”
Despite this, as covered by Mehr News Agency, Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama stated to the Security Council prior to the vote: “A vote in favor of this draft resolution is support to the Palestinians’ right to life. Conversely, voting against it implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon them.”
On February 20, the United States formally vetoed Algeria’s resolution in a 13-1 vote, with the United Kingdom abstaining. According to Al Ahram, this action marked the third U.S. veto of a ceasefire resolution for Gaza and it “provoked a chorus of criticism of Washington, even from US allies including France, Malta and Slovenia.” Several representatives to the UN expressed grave concern for the Palestinian people, urging that the killing of civilians and Israeli operations in Gaza must stop.
Uncertainty surrounds the future of the United States’ draft. As noted in the Times of Israel, “It was not immediately clear when or whether [this] draft resolution would be put to a vote in the 15-member council. It appeared unlikely to pass in its current form, given the overwhelming support among members for a more permanent ceasefire.” Regardless, the outlet explains, the “decision by the US to craft its own resolution…appeared to be the result of growing pressure from the international community to act more aggressively to bring about an end to the fighting.
Though the United States’ “frustration with Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu has steadily grown in recent weeks” due to rapidly increasing civilian casualties and aid restrictions, its proposed resolution leaves details on “timing [as] open for interpretation.” Sky News Arabia discloses that U.S. diplomats say “that they are in no rush to push it forward. Private discussions will first take place as the US will need to gather support and possibly tweak the wording to get it over the line.”
(Banner Image: Reuters/Mike Segar)