The Russian and Chinese vetoes of the UN Security Council’s United States-backed resolution dealing with the cease-fire in the Gaza conflagration have dealt a blow to all international efforts aimed at peace. The resolution drafted by Israel and one of the Permanent Members demanded an immediate halt to violence and protection of civilians living in Gaza. Such a resolution was strongly opposed by two states possessing veto powers.
The Security Council of the United Nations held an urgent meeting over the worsening incidents of violent protests and mounting humanitarian situations involving the armed clashes between Palestinian militants and the Israeli military that have led to the deaths of many and did immense damage to the infrastructure. The resolution, backed by a majority of Council members, aimed to address the immediate needs of the affected population and build a conciliatory platform for the peace talks.
Nonetheless, behind their worries about the stated MS language and MS resolution ambit, Russia and China changed their vetoes so the resolution could not be adopted. The motion led to the disappointment and anger of the states who were seeking immediate rescue from the violence and an agreement with lasting peace.
It was a US resolution that laid down the condemnation of all violent attacks, including rockets and airstrikes, and stressed the virtue of protecting civilian populations, providing humanitarian aid, and guaranteeing free movement of essential supplies into Gaza. It also brought about a return to the table between conflicted parties towards the ceasefire to become a long-term one.
Russia and China’s veto declarations indicate a deep differential inside the Security Council and highlight the question of the effectiveness of diplomacy in aggravating the conflict. It is not the first time that veto powers have blocked UN efforts to tackle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In past attempts at the resolution, they also encountered similar kinds of roadblocks.
Even though the Secretary of the UN expressed his displeasure with the veto, all main parties involved in this conflict were asked to give the first place to the lives of the civilians and find a peaceful solution. The Gaza issue is a cycle of conflict, which the international community is eagerly anticipating will see the end to the suffering and the restoration of peace in the region.
Now that diplomatic efforts are ongoing, one of the major tasks is to find another route of negotiations and dialogues to facilitate de-escalating the conflict and save more lives from death. The necessity to find a sensible solution to the Gaza humanitarian crisis and peace in the context of complexities is urgent as the world closely watches the developments in this deepening conflict.
