The proposal for a resolution for a cease-fire in Gaza was presented by Algeria and discussed in the UN Security Council on Wednesday. There it received the support of 13 of the council’s 15 members. Britain abstained from voting while the US vetoed it, thus stopping it altogether.
A UN resolution on a ceasefire would have been formally binding, although decisions of this kind are often ignored in practice, writes TT.
Want to focus on the negotiations
That the US would block the proposal was already signaled last Saturday, when US UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced the US position on the matter. An immediate ceasefire could have negative consequences for the ongoing negotiations between Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar, was the message.
According to Said Mahmoudi, professor emeritus of international law at Stockholm University, the US has high hopes that the negotiations will lead to a breakthrough in terms of the release of the Israelis held hostage in Gaza. In Algeria’s proposal for a resolution, there were no requirements for the hostages to be released, which means that the US instead chooses to focus on the negotiations, he explains.
Tasks: Preparing own version
At the same time, the United States is said to have taken steps to present its own resolution to the Security Council. According to documents seen by Reuters, in its proposal the US stands behind a “temporary” cease-fire in Gaza, while also stating its opposition to Israel’s plans for an offensive against the southern border town of Rafah.
However, if and if so when the proposal can be put to a vote is unclear. Said Mahmoudi is also doubtful whether it can be voted through.
– I am not at all sure that the USA’s own proposals would be heard and accepted by the parties, he says.