UN Security Council Faces Vote on Ramadan Cease-fire in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council is poised for a pivotal vote this Monday on a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This development follows a tense backdrop where a US-sponsored resolution advocating for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict was vetoed by Russia and China. The rejection has heightened the stakes for the upcoming vote, with the US expressing concerns that the new resolution could potentially derail ongoing negotiations aimed at halting the hostilities, spearheaded by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
The forthcoming resolution, crafted by the 10 elected members of the council, has garnered support from a broad spectrum, including Russia, China, and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations. This collective has issued a call to the council’s 15 members to unite and act decisively to “halt the bloodshed, preserve human lives and avert further human suffering and destruction.”
Scheduled for a vote on Monday morning after a delay requested by its sponsors, the resolution aims to bring an urgent halt to the war that erupted following a surprise attack by Gaza’s Hamas rulers into southern Israel on October 7. The conflict has since inflicted significant casualties and has taken a dire humanitarian toll on Gaza.
The resolution specifically “demands an immediate humanitarian cease-fire for the month of Ramadan,” aiming not only to provide a respite during the holy period but also to set the stage for a “permanent sustainable cease-fire.” The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming proportions, with the region on the brink of famine, intensifying the call for an immediate cease-fire and the protection of civilians. However, the US has signaled a possible veto against the resolution, with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticizing its potential impact on delicate diplomatic efforts in the region.
