Russia and China, permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power, along with Algeria, the council’s only Arab member, have raised concerns regarding a US-proposed draft resolution that aims to endorse President Joe Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip. The resolution requires nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the United States, France, Britain, China, or Russia to be adopted.
The US circulated a revised version of the draft resolution to the 15-member Security Council on Wednesday. The current draft welcomes the ceasefire proposal, deeming it “acceptable” to Israel and urging Hamas to accept it as well. It further calls for both parties to fully implement the proposal’s terms promptly and unconditionally.
However, some council members, including Russia, have questioned whether Israel has genuinely accepted the plan. Russia has proposed amendments to the US text, including a demand for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire that all parties must abide by.
For several months, negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been attempting to broker a ceasefire. Hamas seeks a permanent end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, while Israel retaliates against Hamas for attacks carried out by its militants.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and the capture of over 250 hostages by Hamas on October 7, according to Israeli estimates. Over 100 hostages are believed to be still held captive in Gaza. Israel launched a comprehensive assault on the blockaded Palestinian territory by air, ground, and sea, resulting in the deaths of more than 36,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza health authorities.
