New Delhi: On June 4, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is going to vote on a resolution that calls for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, a place in dire need of help. However, the move is expected to fail due to a US veto, according to an AFP report.
The UN Security Council has 15 member States and it is the first vote of the body on the subject since November, when the United States, one of the strongest allies of Israel, also blocked a text that called for an end to fighting in Gaza. According to the report by AFP, the new resolution “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.”
Also, the new resolution calls for immediate, unconditional and dignified release of all hostages that the Hamas and other groups currently have. The resolution has underlined Palestine’s “catastrophic humanitarian situation” and also demands that all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza be lifted for the sake of common people reeling due to the armed conflict.
The voting on the new resolution on Gaza will take place on June 4, 4:00 pm (IST). Reportedly, several diplomats have told AFP that the US is expect to wield its veto power. They also said that representatives from the 10 elected members of UNSC who are going to introduce the text unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the US.
Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting on Israel to end its war in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis in the latter region has reached a tragic level. It has increased over flailing aid distribution in Gaza, which Israel has blocked for over two months before it permitted a limited number of UN vehicles to enter in the middle of May.
However, the UN has deemed the humanitarian aid as insufficient and a US-backed relief effort called the Gaza Humanitarian Fund has also been criticised. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said, “All of us will be judged by history as to how much have we done in order to stop this crime against the Palestinian people.”
