Washington – Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed yesterday, Monday, that he wants to see the UN Security Council “speaking with one voice” regarding the Gaza Strip.
This was stated by United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a press conference.
Dujarric added, “What the Secretary-General would like to see on the ground, first and foremost, is a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid.”
The UN spokesman continued, saying: “He would like to see the Security Council speak with one voice on this issue, which has been a challenge.”
Regarding the possible Israeli attack on Rafah, Dujarric said: “I think the Secretary-General was very frank, expressing his deep concern about the impact of the ground attack in Rafah.”
In response to a question about the American draft resolution competing with Algeria’s request to vote on its draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Dujarric said: “We understand that the negotiations are still ongoing, so I do not think I will go into the details of that.”
Earlier today, the United States proposed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that supports “a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable, based on the formula of releasing all hostages,” according to a text seen by Anadolu.
The resolution also calls for “the lifting of all barriers to the provision of widespread humanitarian assistance,” in reference to the demands contained in previous resolutions, and stresses the need to “take all appropriate measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The American draft resolution also indicates “the urgent need for a workable plan to ensure the protection of civilians and prevent their displacement in the event of a major ground military attack on Rafah.”
“It also recognizes that any major ground attack on Rafah will lead to further harm and greater displacement of civilians, including the possibility of their displacement to neighboring countries, which will have serious implications for regional peace and security.”
He also stresses that “such a major ground attack should not continue under the current circumstances.”
The US resolution also condemns the attack carried out by the Palestinian faction movement on October 7, and emphasizes “deep concern” about the safety of more than 130 hostages held by the Palestinian faction movement in the Gaza Strip.
The competing resolution came at a time when Algeria is expected to submit a resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” between Israel and the Palestinian faction movement, and demanding the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
The United States indicated it would block the resolution in a statement by US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Saturday, saying Algeria’s decision “may conflict” with efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to reach a hostage deal.
She added: “The United States will continue to engage in the diplomatic efforts necessary to reach a hostage agreement at the finish line, and will be frank with Israeli and regional leaders regarding our expectations regarding the protection of more than a million civilians in Rafah.”
Israeli threats to carry out a ground operation in Rafah, adjacent to the border with Egypt, are escalating, despite mounting regional and international warnings of possible catastrophic repercussions.
The city of Rafah is witnessing significant overcrowding, as there are at least 1.4 million Palestinians, including more than a million displaced people who took refuge there as a result of the Israeli army’s operations in the northern and central Gaza Strip, claiming that it is a “safe zone.”
Anatolia
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2024-06-05 21:03:15