The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Monday on a new resolution that demands an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" in Gaza. This vote emerges in a context of increasing frustration from the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, as reported by AFP.
This development follows a recent situation where the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution that sought a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza. However, in a separate vote in the UN General Assembly, a significant majority of the 193 member states (153 in favor) expressed support for a ceasefire.
Another #Gaza ceasefire resolution by #UNSC that does not mention Hamas, the very party that instigated this carnage and stands the most to benefit from any unconditional ceasefire. Like the resolutions that preceded it, this is one too should be rejected! pic.twitter.com/af4hQ1vrtC
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) December 18, 2023
The latest draft resolution, initiated by the United Arab Emirates, calls not only for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza but also emphasizes the necessity of safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to the area. It reaffirms support for a two-state solution and highlights the critical need to unite Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority's administration.
However, the draft resolution has drawn criticism from Israel and the United States for not specifically naming Hamas. It does demand the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" and denounces "all indiscriminate attacks against civilians."
The Security Council's recent track record on Gaza resolutions has been contentious. Out of six proposed resolutions, five were rejected, including two due to vetoes by the United States. Only one resolution, calling for "humanitarian pauses," was passed.
Arab countries, encouraged by the broad international support demonstrated in the General Assembly vote, introduced the new resolution. Its outcome remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported significant military operations against Hamas in Gaza. IDF troops targeted 150 sites associated with terrorist activities, including a discovery in Jabalya of funds and weapons in a senior Hamas official's residence. Israeli forces also struck explosive caches, military equipment, and infrastructure essential for terrorist operations.
The IDF says forces struck over 150 terror targets in Gaza over the past day. Yesterday (Sunday), Israel's air force identified a terrorist cell entering a Hamas site in the Khan Yunis area. IDF ground troops then directed an IAF helicopter to strike and eliminate the cell. pic.twitter.com/yiNVhT9f6P
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) December 18, 2023
In a separate incident, IDF forces, with air support, neutralized a suspected terrorist cell in Khan Yunis. Additionally, IDF naval units supported ground operations along the Gaza coast.
The IDF also announced the deaths of four soldiers in the ongoing Gaza operation, bringing the death toll to 126. The fallen soldiers, engaged in combat in the southern Gaza Strip, were identified as Sergeant First Class Urija Baye, Sergeant First Class Liav Aloush, Master Sergeant Etan Naeh, and Master Sergeant Tal Filiba. The report also mentioned the serious injury of another Duvdevan unit soldier.
‘You can clearly see the pillars of smoke elevating from the south of Gaza City’
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 18, 2023
After the IDF released the names of 4 more soldiers who were killed in #Gaza#i24NEWS’ @P_Klochendler reports on the latest from the Israel-Gaza border pic.twitter.com/MS8Fk9Ilur
In summary, while the UN Security Council deliberates on a new resolution addressing the situation in Gaza, the IDF continues its military campaign against Hamas, with the loss of both civilian and military lives marking the ongoing conflict.
