New York, The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday failed, for the second time, to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The move was vetoed by council's permanent member the United States.
The draft resolution called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating the call for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, especially with regard to the protection of civilians, and to ensure the access of humanitarian aid to the besieged Strip.
Despite the support of 13 of its fifteen members, the UNSC was unable to adopt the draft, after the UK abstained and the US vetoed it.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need for the international community to do everything in its power to end the war on the people of Gaza, while urging the UNSC to spare no effort to push for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, the protection of civilians, and the urgent delivery of life-saving relief.
The UNSC held a session on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, in response to the memo sent by the Secretary-General to the Council citing Article 99 of the United Nations Charter.
Source: Qatar News Agency