The UN Security Council Urged to Condemn Hamas Attacks and Seek Cease-Fire
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas. The United States led the call for all council members to strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas. However, no immediate action was taken following the closed-door meeting.
While the US deputy ambassador reiterated the importance of condemning the Hamas attacks, he acknowledged that not all council members did so. It was suggested that one member, in particular, did not join in condemning the attacks.
Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, refuted the claim that Russia did not condemn the attacks, stating that Russia condemns all attacks on civilians. He emphasized the need to cease the fighting immediately, establish a cease-fire, and initiate meaningful negotiations to address the conflict that has been stagnant for decades. The Chinese ambassador, Zhang Jun, echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of preventing further escalation and returning to a two-state solution.
The US emphasized its focus on condemning Hamas for the unprovoked invasion and terrorist attacks. While acknowledging the need to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US stated that dealing with the current hostage-taking and violence perpetrated by Hamas took priority.
The Security Council’s ability to issue a statement will largely depend on bridging the differences in opinions on condemning Hamas and civilian deaths, as well as reaching an agreement on language regarding ending the violence and resuming negotiations.
Malta’s UN ambassador, Vanessa Frazier, who called for the meeting, suggested that any condemnation should primarily be directed at Hamas, as they bear responsibility for endangering Palestinian civilians.
During the meeting, the council was briefed virtually by UN Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland, who described the situation as precarious and acknowledged the fear experienced by both sides. The Arab representative on the council, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh of the United Arab Emirates, stressed the need for everyone to work towards calm, de-escalation, and protecting civilians on both sides.
The US underlined the fluid and dangerous nature of the situation, expressing efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating, alongside other regional countries. The Israeli ambassador, Gilad Erdan, accused Hamas of carrying out barbaric war crimes, describing the violent attacks on innocent civilians.
The Palestinian ambassador, Riyad Mansour, highlighted the suffering inflicted on Gaza’s civilian population due to the Israeli blockade and assaults. He called for an immediate end to the violence, the lifting of the blockade, and the pursuit of a political solution.
As tension and violence continue to rise, international efforts to address the conflict intensify. The UN Security Council emergency meeting serves as an opportunity for member states to express their concerns, call for a cease-fire, and seek a path towards peace. With opposing perspectives on who to condemn and how to resolve the conflict, finding common ground remains a challenging task for the Council.
