OAN’s Brooke Mallory
4:44 PM – Friday, December 22, 2023
A resolution calling for emergency aid for Gazans was approved by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Friday by a vote of 13-0, however, it did not ask for a halt to the warfare.
Advertisement
Both Russia and the United States chose not to exercise their veto authority and did not participate in the voting. The resolution’s phrasing had reportedly prompted the United States to object.
In a confusing move, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called the resolution “very strong” and noted that it had not been watered down, despite not voting in favor of it.
“Today, this council called for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities,” she said. “I’ll note that this is the first time this council has used this language. We believe it is critical to scaling up aid and underscoring the tough steps ahead as we work together to achieve a lasting peace.”
Thomas-Greenfield pointed out on Thursday that no further alterations to the draft resolution are allowed until the United States accepts the resolution.
Previously, the United States has maintained that any resolution must denounce Hamas for their attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. The terrorist group kidnapped more than 200 Israeli citizens.
That being said, Hamas is not denounced in the resolution.
“Ultimately, while we are encouraged that the council spoke out on this humanitarian crisis, we’re deeply disappointed, appalled actually, that once again, the council was not able to condemn Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th and I can’t understand why some council members are standing in the way and why they refuse to condemn these evils unequivocally,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
The U.S. representative is one of the Security Council’s fifteen members, and she is one of the five that have veto power.
Ten days have passed since the UN General Assembly approved an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
With 153 countries voting in favor, the resolution was approved. However, ten countries, including the U.S., voted against the resolution.
According to U.N. reports, since hostilities began, at least 20,000 people have died in Gaza.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen are also currently posing a threat to ships in the Red Sea, and the Pentagon has responded with a forceful warning. According to the Pentagon, their strikes target not just one nation, but the entire world as well, and if they carry on, they will pay a price.
Israeli-affiliated ships in Yemen have been the subject of drone strikes and missile fire from Iran-supported rebels in recent weeks. The Pentagon declared that it would be assembling a multinational force to guard ships.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Be the first to comment