UN rights council to consider call for 'Israel' arms sales halt
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Pakistan proposed the draft resolution on behalf of 55 of the 56 UN member nations in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), except Albania.
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Smoke rises during an Israeli strike in the vicinity of the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on March 28, 2024 (AFP)
The UN Human Rights Council will discuss a draft resolution asking for an end to military shipments to "Israel" on Friday.
If the document is accepted, it will be the first time the UN's top human rights council has spoken out on the worst war on Gaza in history.
The draft resolution issued on Wednesday condemns the "use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Gaza" and demands the Israeli occupation "uphold its legal responsibility to prevent genocide".
Pakistan proposed the draft resolution on behalf of 55 of the 56 UN member nations in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), except Albania.
Bolivia, Cuba, and the Palestinian Mission in Geneva have all co-sponsored the document.
The document requests that "Israel" halt its occupation of Palestinian territory and "immediately lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip and all other forms of collective punishment."
The resolution "calls upon all states to cease the sale, transfer, and diversion of arms, munitions, and other military equipment to Israel... in order to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights."
The proposal "condemns Israel's use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas in Gaza," as well as its use of artificial intelligence that helps contribute to international crimes.
It urges governments to guarantee that UNRWA, the UN organization for Palestinian refugees, receives enough funds and requests that 'Israel' halt constructing settlements in Palestinian territory.
It also advises against equating any critique of the occupation with anti-Semitism and demands an immediate ceasefire and urgent access to humanitarian aid.
UNSC adopts resolution demanding immediate ceasefire after US abstains
Last week, the UNSC requested an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Resistance, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.
With the US abstaining, the 14 other members voted in favor of the resolution sponsored by the Security Council's 10 elected members.
Washington has repeatedly opposed the term "ceasefire", and it used its veto authority to defend its ally for its war on Gaza, which has killed over 32,000 Palestinians and injured over 74,694.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the US was "working around the clock" to drive "diplomacy on the ground," adding that a ceasefire could only take effect if the Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, released the first captive.
US arms package to 'Israel' 'obscene, wrong on many levels': Officials
On Friday, the Washington Post revealed that the United States had authorized a new multi-billion dollar arms package to "Israel", including over 1,800 2000-pound bombs and 25 F-35 fighter jets, despite international calls to halt all arms sales to the occupation.
American lawmakers, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley, slammed the move as 'obscene' and 'wrong on every level', and called out "Israel's" hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, a White House official, said the United States has continued to support "Israel's" right to defend itself, adding that conditioning aid has not been a US policy.
This comes amid the Americans' opposition to the Israeli plan to invade Rafah, where over one million Palestinians, including displaced refugees, have been staying.
Vice President Kamala Harris said that if Netanyahu carried out a military operation on Rafah, severe consequences from the United States side would follow.
