New York: Europe and the Arabs
A Russian draft resolution, supported by a number of Arab countries, regarding the escalation in Gaza and Israel failed to obtain the required majority in the Security Council after only 5 members voted in favor of it and 4 of them opposed it, including the United States of America, with 6 abstaining from voting.
The vote came after closed consultations held by the Council's 15 members on two competing draft resolutions submitted by Russia and Brazil regarding the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza.
Among the countries supporting the Russian draft resolution are: Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Turkey.
This draft resolution called for an immediate and permanent humanitarian ceasefire, condemned all acts of violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all terrorist acts, called for securing the release of prisoners and for the unhindered provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance and the creation of conditions conducive to the safe evacuation of civilians in need.
Russia
Speaking after the vote, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, expressed his regret "that the Council has remained hostage to the selfishness of Western delegations, and this is the reason that explains our inability to send a clear message about calm at a time when we are witnessing an unprecedented conflict in recent decades." As he put it.
The Russian ambassador said that the vote in the Council "shows those who oppose the truce, the ceasefire, the end of violence in the Gaza Strip, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to the residents there, and those who object to sending a message from the Council, with the aim of achieving political goals," as he put it.
United State
Speaking after the vote on the Russian draft resolution, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that "civilians should not suffer because of the atrocities committed by Hamas."
She added that the Security Council and the entire international community bear the responsibility to address this humanitarian crisis "and to denounce Hamas and recognize Israel's inherent right to defend itself in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations."
She expressed her regret "that the Russian draft resolution that was presented today does not meet all these conditions and does not live up to all these responsibilities," as she put it.
UAE
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, after she voted in favor of the draft resolution, said, “Civilians in Gaza today face a brutal war without any safe haven to turn to,” noting that Gaza is subject to a siege without the availability of food, water, medicines, medical supplies, and electricity.
She explained that two million people depend on only one water supply line, while the power plant stopped due to a lack of fuel. The Emirati ambassador called on the international community to acknowledge that "the evacuation of more than a million people - who have no safe haven and do not have assistance - is an illegitimate request and cannot be achieved."
She called on the Council to take action and not be satisfied with statements, with the aim of protecting all civilians, providing humanitarian assistance in a safe manner, and releasing the hostages unconditionally.
She stressed the need to ensure the security and safety of humanitarian workers. She described the call for a ceasefire as essential.
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said that her country voted in favor of the Russian draft resolution because it "responds to all the specific humanitarian needs that I mentioned."
State of Palestine
Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, called on the member states of the Security Council to be guided by the rules of international humanitarian law without exceptions, and not to send a message that the lives of Palestinians do not matter.
He stressed the need to do three things now, and said that anything else would be unacceptable from a legal, moral and political standpoint. He said: “First, stop the attack on our people now. Second, allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip now. Third, stop the transfer.” "Compulsory for our people now."
He wondered why the Council was unable to call a ceasefire “in order to stop the aggression and massacres,” he said.
He told the council members: “Do you know what deserves your unconditional support? It is the rules of international law, human rights, peace and justice, so that no Palestinian or Israeli is killed, so that our people can finally live in freedom and dignity on the land of their ancestors, and so that two states: Palestine and Israel can live side by side.” In peace and security in accordance with your decisions.”
Israel
Gilad Erdan, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that Hamas is driven by an ideology no different from the Nazis. He referred to the full name of Hamas: “Islamic Resistance Movement” and said that it is not a political organization but a terrorist organization no different from ISIS or Al-Qaeda.
He stated that Hamas will not stop until it destroys Israel, and said: “Therefore, for the safety of our people and the security of our future, Israel must destroy Hamas first.”
He said that his country is on a rescue mission: “to save the hostages, the future, and the residents of Gaza from brutal tyrants.” He added that this mission could be completed quickly if Hamas members lay down their weapons, return the hostages and surrender themselves.
He stressed four goals that he urged the Council to address in any future discussions, and reviewed them, saying: “First: Classifying Hamas as a terrorist group, just as the Council did with ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Second: Holding Hamas fully and solely responsible for the situation in Gaza. Third: Full support for Israel’s rights.” In defending itself. Fourth: Demanding Hamas release all kidnapped hostages immediately and without conditions.”
After the end of the list of speakers, the UN Security Council session was adjourned, without voting on the other draft resolution, which the Council will reportedly consider this week.
Juliette Touma, spokeswoman for UNRWA, denied media reports that fuel entered through the Rafah crossing, and confirmed that “no supplies have entered Gaza since October 7, at all: no fuel, no food, no water, nor any other type of aid.”

Speaking to reporters in New York yesterday, Monday, via video technology, the Director of Media and Communications at the Palestine Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reiterated that no United Nations agency was able to bring any supplies into the Gaza Strip, and called for the immediate lifting of the blockade to allow the provision of humanitarian assistance. .
Ms. Touma also explained that some photos circulated on social media show the transfer of basic medical supplies by the agency to its health partners in Gaza City, stressing that UNRWA warehouses were not subjected to any acts of looting at all.
One million displaced people
The UNRWA spokeswoman said that the agency's estimates indicate that nearly one million people have been displaced since the start of the escalation, including more than 400,000 residing in its facilities. She said that the majority of the displaced have moved to the south, but there are still displaced people in the northern areas of the Strip.
She said that UNRWA had to open many of these facilities despite not being equipped to house people due to high levels of displacement, including a logistics warehouse in the south of the Strip.
She added: "UNRWA supplies are running out, and they are running out fast. The shelters are overcrowded. The shelters do not have enough sanitation services. We are receiving reports of hundreds of people sharing one toilet."