Russia’s UN envoy on Friday called for a “humanitarian cease-fire” in the Gaza Strip and Israel, blaming the US for the prolonged bloodshed.
The Russian draft resolution, seen by AFP, calls for a “immediate” cessation of hostilities and the safe release of all captives, and “strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism.”
The statement does not expressly name Hamas, the militant group that administers Gaza and, on Saturday, blew through Israel’s heavily fortified border, killing 1,300 people, mostly civilians.
According to Israel, Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, took roughly 150 Israeli, international, and dual-national hostages back to Gaza in the initial onslaught.
The US has asked the Security Council to condemn the Palestinian Islamists and their attack, which was the bloodiest in Israeli history.
Israel’s response to the incursion has been a barrage of missile strikes on Gaza’s densely populated territory, killing at least 1,900 people, largely civilians, including more than 600 children.
“We’re convinced that the Security Council must act to put an end to the bloodshed and restart peace negotiations with a view to establishing a Palestinian state as it was supposed to do so long ago,” Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said after the closed-door meeting of the Security Council on Friday.
Some member states, according to Nebenzia, responded positively to the draft resolution.
He also slammed the US for “responsibility for the looming war in the Middle East,” and chastised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for “turning a blind eye to Israeli air force attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.”
On Israeli-Palestinian disputes, the Security Council is frequently divided. Following the meeting, members spoke carefully about the resolution.
“The draft resolution appeared just two minutes before we went into the council meeting,” said British Ambassador Barbara Woodward.
“I think for something that is as important as this, we’ve already seen how much human life has been destroyed. We need time for consultation, serious consultation.”
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun said that “there is an emerging consensus on the humanitarian concerns,” adding: “We are open to all efforts which will help cease the fire, help de-escalate the tension.”
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, whose nation now holds the Security Council’s rotating presidency, stated that “Brazil will continue to work closely with all delegations aiming for a unified position by the Council on the situation.”
