US committed to Gaza resolution, aid delivery, UN Deputy envoy claims

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Mar 2024 20:02

The US has so far exercised its veto power four times to block a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ambassador Robert Wood, the Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs in the United Nations, speaks to reporters during a press conference before the United Nations Security Council meeting on October 8, 2023, at the UN (AFP)

US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood claimed on Monday that the US remains committed to working "constructively" on the latest US-drafted resolution on Gaza in the coming days.

"We remain committed to engage constructively on our resolution in the days to come," Wood said, adding that himself and his team will work through all channels to speed up the delivery of aid for residents of the Gaza Strip.

He further said that the US will continue to engage on the text of the resolution.

The US has so far exercised its veto power four times to block a ceasefire in Gaza.

The first time was on October 18, 2023, with a Brazil-drafted resolution, the second was on December 8, 2023, with a UAE-drafted resolution, and the third was on December 22, 2023, with a Russian-drafted resolution.

The most recent veto was exercised on February 20, regarding an Algerian-drafted resolution, sparking significant controversy.

Meanwhile, the current death toll in the Gaza Strip recently exceeded the number of 30,000.

A ceasefire was implemented on November 24, 2023. It was extended several times until it expired on December 1, 2023.

The US, Qatar, Egypt, and "Israel" have been holding frequent meetings since the start of the year, working on an exchange deal with the Palestinian resistance.

Though progress has been described as slow, resistance sources said that "the possibility of reaching an agreement is still viable."

However, "the continued suffocating blockade on our people in the Gaza Strip will lead to the explosion of negotiations regarding a ceasefire," another source told Al Mayadeen this morning.

The source continued, stating that "the policy of starvation practiced by the occupation against civilians will not achieve any significant accomplishment, and the battle will continue until the blockade is lifted and aid is allowed into Gaza."

The commander pointed out that "the dropping of aid from US aircraft is a drop in the ocean [of Gaza's needs] and does not contribute to alleviating the severe humanitarian crisis in the Strip."

Hamas has recently suggested that Russia acts as a mediator in resolving the war on Gaza, counterbalancing the US and “Israel”.