More and more countries are already condemning Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. Even the USA, Israel’s closest ally, now changed course and introduced a draft resolution on a Gaza ceasefire in the UN Security Council. But in vain. Russia and China were at odds.
The U.S. draft resolution called for an “immediate ceasefire” lasting at least six weeks “to protect civilians on all sides and to enable the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance and alleviate human suffering.” Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said the resolution was highly politicized and effectively meant approval for Israel’s planned military offensive in the city of Rafah. Nebensja spoke of a “hypocritical” text.
In total, there were eleven votes in favor of the US proposal in the Security Council, three against (Russia, China and Algeria) and one abstention (Guyana). It is not the first time that the body has blocked the settlement of the Gaza war. So far, however, the USA has always prevented other states’ resolutions.
Despite growing international criticism, Israel remains committed to carrying out its planned ground offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that if necessary they would do this without US support. There is no way to defeat the terrorist organization Hamas without sending troops to Rafah. Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was even clearer: “Even if the entire world turns against Israel, including the United States, we will fight until the battle is won.”
800 hectares confiscated
Israel has confiscated 800 hectares of land in the occupied West Bank. Despite international protests, the Israeli government has again designated land for settlement building in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the area in the Jordan Valley had been declared “national territory.” According to Israeli activists, it is the largest seizure of Palestinian lands since 1993. The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned the move. It sees the West Bank as part of a future Palestinian state.
