Russian UN resolution calls for humanitarian ceasefire, corridors
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On October 18, the US exercised its veto power to block a Brazil-drafted UN Security Council resolution that urged "Israel" to revoke its evacuation order for Gazans.
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Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia speaks at United Nations headquarters Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Russia's latest proposed UN Security Council resolution regarding the war on Gaza calls for the creation of humanitarian breaks and humanitarian pathways, Sputnik reported on Tuesday, citing the document.
"Notes in this regard that humanitarian ceasefire agreement could play a vital role to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in order to help save civilian lives, and further calls for all measures, such as humanitarian pauses and establishment of humanitarian corridors," the draft resolution said.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, stated that Russia has drafted an alternative resolution following the US veto of a resolution drafted by Brazil concerning the war on Gaza.
The White House stated on Tuesday that a ceasefire in Gaza "would only benefit Hamas."
"A ceasefire right now really only benefits Hamas," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists.
On October 18, the US exercised its veto power to block a Brazil-drafted UN Security Council resolution that urged "Israel" to revoke its evacuation order for Gazans.
Both Russia and the UK abstained from voting.
Read more: US veto power of UNSC ends hope for peace: Raisi tells Pandor
During today's meeting of the UN Security Council, Nebenzia emphasized the need for the council to adopt a more proactive approach to averting future conflicts.
"The council absolutely has to take this into consideration in the future otherwise similar incidents will not be able to be avoided," Nebenzia said during the UN Security Council.
He further underscored the importance of establishing a sustainable negotiation process, as well as reviewing and approving platforms.
Additionally, he emphasized the necessity to establish an independent Palestinian state within the borders of 1967, with East Al-Quds as its capital.
"However, we are all facing a more urgent challenge to stop the violence and ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza that are encountering arbitrary strikes from Israel and egregious violations of IHL [International humanitarian law]," Nebenzia added.
Read more: West's backing of 'Israel' raises regional security concerns: Iran MFA
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was due to hold a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting, today.
However, after Guterres affirmed that "the attack by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum" and that "the Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation," Cohen announced that the meeting had been annulled.
