Algeria presented a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, supported by the Arab group at the UN. To avoid being forced to use its veto power for the third time against stopping Israeli aggression, the United States proposed another draft resolution calling for a ” temporary ” humanitarian ceasefire, according to numerous media.
The Algerian draft resolution, which should be submitted this Tuesday, February 20 at 4:00 p.m. (Algiers time), has cornered the United States, Israel’s primary supporter in its war against the Gaza Strip which has lasted for four months and a half and which has already left nearly 30,000 Palestinians dead, the majority of whom are women and children. Washington found itself obliged to let go of its unconditional support for its Israeli ally.
In a public statement, the Arab group at the UN provided outspoken support for the Algerian project.
“ It is regrettable to note that the UN Security Council remains immobile and incapable of condemning the crimes committed daily by the occupation authorities,” said the Arab states, calling on the Security Council to “ take immediate action » and to “no longer turn a deaf ear to the calls of the international community and world public opinion, all of which call for a ceasefire”.
Ceasefire in Gaza: to counter Algeria, the United States develops its text
“ We strongly support the draft resolution presented by Algeria and we encourage all members of the Security Council to vote for this draft,” read the statement.
The Algerian project presented Washington with two difficult choices: veto a ceasefire for the third time or let the resolution pass against the advice of its Israeli ally.
The United States, however, opted for neither of these two options. They preferred to circulate their resolution, also calling for a humanitarian, but “temporary,” ceasefire.
According to the Israeli media i24news, the American project, even if its formulation ” is not definitive “, greatly worries the Israeli government because it opposes any ” forced displacement ” of Palestinians and links the fate of Israeli hostages at Peace in Gaza.
I24 News, citing a US official, says that by voting on the US text, the Security Council would underline ” its desire for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, based on the release of all hostages, and the removal of all obstacles to the provision of large-scale humanitarian assistance.”
In addition to the refusal of any movement of the population of Gaza inside or outside Palestine, the American project also refers to the rejection of any buffer zone that would further encroach on the territories of the tiny Palestinian enclave.
For the Israeli media, this is a notable change in the attitude of the United States, opposed since the start of the war, on October 7, to the word “ ceasefire ”. It reflects the American “ inflection ” and echoes the new tone used by President Joe Biden in his last interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
