A United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday, though the possibility of a U.S. veto looms large.
The resolution, drafted by the E10, or 10 elected members of the Security Council, is another effort by the body to bring about an end to the war or at least improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The UNSC has passed four resolutions on the matter thus far, with little to no effect, and has failed to pass resolutions a number of times.
The latest draft demands a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, allowing the repopulation of all areas of the Strip.
Notably, the United States won a concession in negotiations this week, when language relevant to Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter was removed from the draft. That language, which determined “that the situation in the Gaza Strip and the regional escalation constitute a threat to international peace and security.”
That specific language triggers Chapter VII, which empowers the UNSC to take collective action it deems fit, up to and including the use of force.
Closed consultations on the draft are set for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. (E.T.). JNS sources indicate that the Biden administration is pushing to remove language pertaining to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, though the E10 are almost certain not to accept this.
The UNSC was slated to meet at 4:30 p.m. (E.T.) on Tuesday, providing a possible opportunity for a vote.
Washington has vetoed every prior ceasefire demand by the UNSC, save an abstention on March 25 which caused a further rift in relations between the American and Israeli governments. The former quickly clarified that it considered the resolution non-binding, further isolating it from the rest of the UNSC on the subject of the war.
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tweeted on Monday: “Reports that another anti-Israel U.N. Security Council resolution will soon be considered are concerning. If true, the Biden admin must announce its plan to veto this clearly antisemitic effort. This is another example of how the U.N. system is broken and in need of an overhaul.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, criticized the draft resolution during Monday’s council session.
“The decision being promoted in this council only strengthens Hamas and terrorism and abandons the hostages,” said Danon. “We cannot allow the United Nations to tie the hands of the State of Israel from protecting its citizens, and we will not stop fighting until we return all the kidnapped men and women home.”
