UNSC fails again to address Israel-Hamas war

FE Team | Published: October 26, 2023 23:31:07

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 26 (AP/AFP/ BBC/Reuters): The U.N. Security Council failed again Wednesday to address the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, rejecting rival United States and Russian resolutions.
The council is the U.N.'s most powerful body, charged with maintaining international peace and security, but its divisions have left it impotent and scrambling to try to find a resolution with acceptable language.
The resolution drafted by the United States, Israel's closest ally, would have reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense, urged respect for international laws - especially protection of civilians - and called for "humanitarian pauses" to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza.
In Wednesday's vote in the 15-member council, 10 countries voted in favor, Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates voted against, and Brazil and Mozambique abstained. The resolution was not adopted because permanent council members Russia and China cast vetoes.
Biden urges 'path to
peace' when war over
US President Joe Biden called Wednesday for world leaders to develop plans for a "path toward peace" including two-state solution when the Israel-Hamas war is over.
Biden also said during a visit by the Australian prime minister that while Israel has the right to respond to the October 7 Hamas attack it must do everything it can to protect civilians.
But as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire, Biden added that he "did not demand" that Israel delay a ground invasion of Gaza, which Israel has been pounding since the attacks.
"When this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next. And in our view that has to be a two-state solution" with independent Israeli and Palestinian states, Biden said at the start of his joint press conference with Anthony Albanese.
"It means a concentrated effort for all the parties-Israelis, Palestinians, regional partners, global leaders-to put us on a path toward peace."
EU leaders set to discuss
humanitarian pauses
EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday for a summit overshadowed by Hamas's war with Israel and the EU's failure to project a united front.
For weeks, the European Union's stance on the war has been clouded with mixed messages, diplomatic gaffes and conflicting national views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But after days of disagreement, EU leaders aim to reach a common position.
At issue is whether to back a ceasefire or humanitarian pauses in the fighting. European Council President Charles Michel says the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza is of grave concern and the leaders are keen to facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter.
Gaza needs billions in aid to reverse
years of restrictions: UN body
Gaza needs billions of dollars in international economic aid to compensate for years of restrictions that have stifled its economy and curbed its development, according to a report published on Wednesday by the United Nations trade body.
In its report on the economic development of the Occupied Palestinian Territory for 2022, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) highlighted the dire economic conditions in Gaza, even prior to Israeli strikes on the enclave in reprisal for the deadly Oct 7 attacks by Hamas gunmen in southern Israel.
"Donors and the international community need to extend significant economic aid to repair the extensive damage Gaza has experienced under prolonged restrictions and closures and frequent military operations, which has stifled the economy and decimated infrastructure," the report said.