In a bid to allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians under relentless Israeli bombardment in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council has held its first open debate on the Israel-Gaza war, with most members calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The 15-member council, where the five permanent members including the United States and Russia have a veto, has so far failed to deliver a resolution that would end the violence.
Nearly ninety countries were on the speakers’ list for Tuesday’s debate including about thirty foreign ministers and deputy ministers, with many echoing calls for a ceasefire and a halt to attacks on Palestinian civilians amid widespread destruction in Gaza and the mounting death toll.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, speaking on behalf of the 22-member Arab Group at the UN, accused Israel of “razing Gaza to the ground” and lamented the Security Council’s failure to call an immediate ceasefire.
He further urged diplomats to adopt a resolution to stop the war, condemn the killing of civilians on both sides and prevent the starvation as well as collective punishment of the Palestinians.
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