UNSC to vote on new draft for Gaza immediate ceasefire
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The draft is being presented by non-permanent members of the UNSC, demanding "an immediate ceasefire" during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, "leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire".
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Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment are brought to a hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP)
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is due to vote on the newest draft for a ceasefire in Gaza, right after China and Russia vetoed the previous draft by the United States, which urged an "immediate" ceasefire linked to the release of captives.
According to the version seen by AFP on Sunday, the text "demands an immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, "leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire". In contrast, it "demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale."
Anonymous diplomats told AFP that the draft is being presented by non-permanent members of the UNSC, with one diplomat saying, "We expect, barring a last-minute twist, that the resolution will be adopted and that the United States will not vote against it."
Eight out of 10 Security Council non-permanent members have been devising the draft, which also urges the "immediate and unconditional" release of captives and the removal of "all barriers" to humanitarian aid entering the besieged Gaza Strip.
It is now confirmed that the E7 draft #UNSC resolution that demands an immediate #Ramadan ceasefire will be voted on at 10 am tomorrow March 23. pic.twitter.com/w2maXIhkWt
— Rami Ayari (@Raminho) March 22, 2024
Rafah is currently the point of contention and the source of tension between "Israel" and the US as "Israel" intends to enter Rafah while the US keeps alleging that it goes against it.
A displaced 10-year-old girl expressed the pain she experienced in Rafah.
"I have the right to live as a little girl, like anywhere else in the world, in a safe place," Rama told AFP in the makeshift camp that has become her home... I used to go to school safely, but now we don't go to school because of the bombing, and when I go out of our home I am very scared."
This comes as Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, said on X: "Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any @UNRWA food convoys to the north."
"This is outrageous & makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine," he added.
📍# Gaza: as of today, @UNRWA, the main lifeline for #Palestine Refugees, is denied from providing lifesaving assistance to northern Gaza.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) March 24, 2024
Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any @UNRWA food… pic.twitter.com/lfp9xRQuh1
In addition to providing the Israeli occupation entity with military support, the United States has vetoed three draft resolutions, two of which would have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, citing concerns about jeopardizing ongoing efforts to broker a pause in fighting and release Israeli captives.
Washington has also abstained twice on resolutions aimed at aiding Gaza and calling for pauses in the fighting.
