US will veto Algerian resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire
The United States has announced that it will veto an Algerian resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as it could jeopardise Washington's diplomatic efforts to end hostilities.
- International community warns of military operation in Rafah
- "Hamas has the option of surrendering and releasing the hostages"
The Algiers text, submitted more than a fortnight ago, calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It also rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians and calls for a full, rapid and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid throughout the Palestinian enclave.
However, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US representative to the UN, stressed that Washington "does not support any action on this draft resolution", which therefore "will not be adopted".
Since the start of the war between Israel and the terrorist group, Washington has vetoed two ceasefire resolutions that were backed by numerous countries. On the other hand, it has abstained on two others, allowing the body to call for increased humanitarian aid for Gaza.
UN Security Council resolutions need at least nine votes in favour and no negative votes from the five permanent members - the US, UK, France, China and Russia - to be adopted.
Thomas-Greenfield explained that the US has intensified its efforts towards a sustainable resolution of the Gaza conflict. To this end, it is actively engaged in negotiations on a hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, designed to trigger an immediate truce period of at least six weeks.
Such a ceasefire would provide an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a more lasting peace, according to the US ambassador.
In this regard, Thomas-Greenfield recalled US President Joe Biden's recent talks with Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari leaders.
Although significant gaps remain, key elements of the agreement are being negotiated, Thomas-Greenfield said. For Washington, it is critical that all parties commit to this process to achieve "the best chance of success, rather than pushing for measures that would jeopardise the opportunity for a lasting solution and resolution of hostilities".
The Algerian resolution "would not achieve these results and, in fact, could run counter to them", Thomas-Greenfield stressed, adding that the UN Security Council "has an obligation to ensure that any action taken in the coming days will increase pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal".
International community warns of military operation in Rafah
The new US veto of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza coincides with increased international pressure on Israel not to launch a military operation on Rafah, considered the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza and where, according to Israeli intelligence, many of the remaining hostages are being held. Recently, a rescue operation in Rafah succeeded in freeing two Israelis kidnapped since 7 October.
The city on the border with Egypt, on the other hand, is also where more than a million displaced Gazans have fled fighting in other parts of the Palestinian enclave.
For this reason, Biden - as well as other international leaders and Western allies in Jerusalem - has warned Israel that a military incursion "should not be undertaken without a credible and implementable plan to ensure the safety and support" of the city's civilian population.
Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that such a plan is being prepared. He has also sent a message to the international community that "those who want to prevent an operation in Rafah" are asking Israel to "lose" the war.
"Hamas has the option of surrendering and releasing the hostages"
Despite the pressure, the Israeli authorities remain convinced to enter Rafah to eliminate Hamas in Gaza and rescue the remaining hostages. In this regard, Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, has assured that if the more than 100 hostages are not released in the coming weeks, Israel will expand its offensive in southern Gaza and advance towards the city of Rafah.
"We will do this in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with our American and Egyptian partners to minimise civilian casualties," said Gantz, who set the deadline for handing over the hostages at the start of Ramadan, which this year will begin on 10 March.
Addressing those who warn that "the price of an offensive is too high", Gantz stressed that "Hamas has the option of surrendering and releasing the hostages", which would allow Gazans to "celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan".