United Nations, 20 Feb.- The UN Security Council will vote today another resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza with the support of the Arab countries, while the US delegation said it could veto it.
The draft, submitted by Algeria and circulated unofficially to the press, stressed the need to comply with international law, in particular the protection of civilians, and rejected forced displacement within the enclave.
At the same time, it calls for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since 7 October.
Despite the high pronouncements to prevent an Israeli ground operation in Rafah, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the text could jeopardize sensitive negotiations on the hostages.
A communiqué issued by the US mission confirmed at the weekend that the Algerian proposal would be dismissed as it happened with two similar ceasefire projects, which broke in the Security Council at the end of 2023.
The United States, one of the five permanent members of the body alongside China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France, previously vetoed all initiatives to cease hostilities.
The Security Council, whose resolutions are binding, has so far failed to issue a joint statement calling for a cease-fire, despite repeated requests from UN Chief Executive António Guterres.
What the Secretary General would like to see, first of all, on the ground is a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages and increased humanitarian access, insisted on Monday the spokesman of the High Representative, Stéphane Dujarric.
He would like the Security Council to speak with one voice on this issue, which has been a challenge, he added. (PL) (Photo: Taken from the Internet)
