OAN’s Brooke Mallory
1:02 PM – Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The U.S. vetoed a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, reflecting U.S. dissatisfaction with the war, as Hamas has yet to return captured Israeli hostages. This is an expected movement that shows.
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The United States and the Biden administration had previously signaled they would veto the Algeria resolution, but Biden has since stepped up his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. On Monday, a draft U.S. Security Council resolution was released calling for a “temporary ceasefire” in the ongoing conflict.
The resolution also strongly warns Israel against launching an attack on Rafah in southern Gaza.
The government refrained from using the term “ceasefire” for several months. But President Joe Biden’s recent language and the latest U.S. resolution come as the White House seeks to help broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas that calls for the release of Israeli detainees and a long-term cessation of fighting. It suggests change.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield informed the Security Council that a resolution submitted by Algeria and rejected by the United States would have a negative impact on ongoing negotiations in the region.
“While it would be wishful and irresponsible to proceed with a vote today, and we cannot support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, we cannot support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but we believe that it would be wishful and irresponsible to move forward with a vote today, and that we would not be able to support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but we believe that it would be wishful and irresponsible to proceed with a vote today, and that we would not support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but that we would like to move forward with a document that we believe will address many of the concerns we all share.” I look forward to working on it,” she said after the vote.
Biden said earlier this month that the IDF’s actions were “overreach,” according to a transcript of the two leaders’ phone conversation. He then told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that military operations in Rafah “must not proceed without a credible and viable plan to ensure the safety and support of civilians.”
At the White House on Friday, Biden used a phrase his administration had previously objected to using to convey to Prime Minister Netanyahu his view that “a temporary ceasefire is necessary to ensure the safe release of the hostages.” was used intentionally. Detained by Hamas. ”
Another anonymous official who spoke to reporters on Tuesday said that despite criticizing the Algeria resolution, U.S. representatives understood that most of the world wanted action at the United Nations. The competing US resolution therefore aims to provide a “positive vision”.
“We say we are listening to calls for UN Security Council action,” the official continued.
Additionally, the official told reporters that a vote on the U.S. resolution is unlikely this week because the administration is “not in the mood” to rush things, given ongoing negotiations with Egypt and Qatar. He said he believed he would be more successful that way. He was instrumental in rescuing Israeli hostages from Gaza, introducing humanitarian aid, and ending hostilities.
White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that “we could not support a resolution today that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, and that’s what this resolution does.” We believe that.”
The vote on Algeria’s bill came on Tuesday ahead of a planned Israeli attack on Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians are said to be crammed into cramped quarters.
The US draft resolution states: “Under the current circumstances, a large-scale ground attack on Rafah would result in further damage to civilians and further displacement, including potentially to neighboring countries.” ”, it added, “Such a large-scale ground attack should not proceed under the current circumstances.”
Despite a high-level meeting in Cairo last week between intelligence chiefs from the United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar, negotiations over hostage release and a humanitarian moratorium failed to make progress.
“We desperately want an agreement and we know there will be a price to pay. But Hamas’s demands are disconnected from reality and nothing more than a delusion.” Official Gal Harsh said. CNN Saturday at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
Hirsh said that to show Hamas will follow through on its commitments, Israel needs evidence that medical supplies shipped to Gaza actually reached detainees.
On Tuesday, Hamas commanders stationed outside Gaza returned to Cairo for further talks, while White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGuirk also returned to the region.
U.S. officials said McGuirk is scheduled to visit Israel on Thursday and Cairo on Wednesday. Hostage negotiations will be a major part of the trip.
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