According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US has been repeatedly using its veto power in the UN Security Council to undermine efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Ministry declared that there have been united calls from all UN representatives to implement an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in order to end the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially women, children, and the elderly. However, the Ministry added that the Security Council has been unable to fulfill its direct mandate due to the US’s position, which has led to a state of paralysis in the Council.
Furthermore, Russia stated that Israel has the full responsibility to comply with international law concerning the Palestinian territories, including Gaza. The US has vetoed multiple resolutions sponsored by Russia and Brazil that aimed to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants. As a result, the Council has been unable to take decisive action due to these repeated vetoes by the US and its allies.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences for Palestinians, with more than 11,000, including numerous women and children, having been killed by Israeli airstrikes since October 7, according to Gaza officials. Human rights organizations have also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been exacerbated by severe shortages of food, fuel, and other essential supplies. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described the Palestinian enclave as “a graveyard for children” and emphasized the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire to mitigate the unfolding catastrophe.
The UN agencies have also joined in, releasing a joint statement to urge an immediate end to hostilities, stressing the necessity of international action to secure a humanitarian ceasefire and prevent further loss of life and suffering in Gaza. Despite these pleas and the grim reality on the ground, the US has backed off from supporting a comprehensive ceasefire, instead calling for “humanitarian pauses” while maintaining that a comprehensive ceasefire at this time would only benefit Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that initiated the recent attacks on Israel.
Israel, on the other hand, has agreed to maintain four-hour daily pauses to allow civilians to escape to the southern part of the Palestinian enclave. While it aims to help civilians move to safety, the situation remains dire with the need for a more comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
The catastrophic situation in Gaza demands immediate humanitarian assistance and a coordinated effort by the international community to address the suffering and loss of life. The US’s repeated use of its veto power has been an impediment to the Security Council’s ability to take decisive action, and has only prolonged the suffering of the Palestinian people. It is crucial for the international community to work towards a ceasefire and pave the way for peace and stability in the region.
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