The Security Council is poised to meet again at 3:00 PM New York time on Wednesday to attempt to find unity in its response to the worsening Israel-Palestine crisis, which began on 7 October with terror attacks by Hamas fighters, and the retaliatory siege and offensive launched against their Gaza stronghold by Israeli forces. The 15-member organ is expected to vote on a draft resolution, tabled by Malta. Follow coverage here for live updates, and “>watch live on UN Web TV, here.
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This will be the fifth attempt. The Council rejected four previous versions over differences on such provisions as references to a ceasefire as Israel’s ground campaign has intensified with the loss of more than 11,000 Palestinian lives so far according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, and specific condemnations of the Hamas attacks.
The fresh draft calls for, among other things, the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, and for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the besieged enclave to allow access for aid workers.
It also demands that that all parties respect international law, particularly concerning civilian protection.
To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes – a privilege reserved for its permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States).
A US veto in late October triggered the UN General Assembly to convene its resumed tenth emergency special session on the crisis, which adopted on 26 October a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce and civilian protection.
On Wednesday, Council members will again consider a collective response to the crisis.
Visit our previous stories tracking attempts to find unity:
- Deadlock deepens on 25 October, as the Security Council rejects competing resolutions by US and Russia
- The US vetoes a Russia-backed draft resolution on 18 Oct
- The Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza on 16 October
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Read our explainers on what happens when the Council faces a deadlock and why the General Assembly convened a emergency special session.
Children collect water in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Visit our story on the Security Council’s last open meeting on 10 November on the deteriorating crisis. Here are some of the key points:
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), called for a ceasefire to save lives and speed the delivery of much needed aid, saying “nowhere and no one is safe” in Gaza, stressing that medical staff continue to grapple with trying to manage the growing needs of 2.3 million people without the lifesaving aid required to treat the ill and injured
- Marwan Jilani, Director General of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, said Gaza’s “health sector is under attack”, calling on the Council to step up to do its part to end the violence, ensure international humanitarian law is upheld and open safe pathways for aid
- At the outset of the meeting, everyone in the Council Chamber stood for a minute of silence for all those who lost their lives in Israel due to the 7 October attacks and all those Palestinian civilians who have died during the fighting
