UN may vote within days on Rafah resolution, say diplomats
Algerian proposal to Security Council uses strongest language in call for Israel to stop killing
29 May 2024 - 14:53
byMichelle Nichols
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Palestinian children look at the damages while searching for food among burnt debris at the site of an Israeli strike on an area designated for displaced people, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip,on Monday. Picture: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM/TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
New York — Algeria on Tuesday proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demands a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and essentially orders Israel to “immediately halt its military offensive” in Rafah.
Algeria’s UN ambassador, Amar Bendjama, said after a closed-door meeting of the 15-member UN security body on Gaza that the aim of the move was to “stop the killing in Rafah”. Algeria is a council member for 2024/25.
Diplomats said the council could vote within days.
The Algerian draft text, seen by Reuters, uses the strongest Security Council language — it “decides that Israel, the occupying power, shall immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in Rafah”. It also cites a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week that ordered Israel to immediately halt its military assault on Rafah, in a landmark emergency ruling in SA’s case accusing Israel of genocide.
The move comes after an attack on Sunday set off a blaze in a camp in a designated humanitarian zone of Rafah in southern Gaza, killing at least 45 people. Israel said it had targeted Hamas militants and had not intended to harm civilians.
A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. The US has so far shielded Israel by vetoing three draft council resolutions on the war in Gaza.
But Washington has also abstained on three votes, most recently allowing the council in March to demand an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over the October 7 attack by its militants in which more than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Nearly 130 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.
Israel launched an air, ground and sea assault on the blockaded Palestinian territory, killing more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Israel says it wants to root out the last major intact formations of Hamas fighters hunkered down in Rafah and rescue hostages.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
UN may vote within days on Rafah resolution, say diplomats
Algerian proposal to Security Council uses strongest language in call for Israel to stop killing
New York — Algeria on Tuesday proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demands a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and essentially orders Israel to “immediately halt its military offensive” in Rafah.
Algeria’s UN ambassador, Amar Bendjama, said after a closed-door meeting of the 15-member UN security body on Gaza that the aim of the move was to “stop the killing in Rafah”. Algeria is a council member for 2024/25.
Diplomats said the council could vote within days.
The Algerian draft text, seen by Reuters, uses the strongest Security Council language — it “decides that Israel, the occupying power, shall immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in Rafah”. It also cites a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week that ordered Israel to immediately halt its military assault on Rafah, in a landmark emergency ruling in SA’s case accusing Israel of genocide.
The move comes after an attack on Sunday set off a blaze in a camp in a designated humanitarian zone of Rafah in southern Gaza, killing at least 45 people. Israel said it had targeted Hamas militants and had not intended to harm civilians.
A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. The US has so far shielded Israel by vetoing three draft council resolutions on the war in Gaza.
But Washington has also abstained on three votes, most recently allowing the council in March to demand an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over the October 7 attack by its militants in which more than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Nearly 130 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.
Israel launched an air, ground and sea assault on the blockaded Palestinian territory, killing more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Israel says it wants to root out the last major intact formations of Hamas fighters hunkered down in Rafah and rescue hostages.
Reuters
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