US blocks UN statement on Israel-Palestine crisis for third time in a week

A third United Nations Security Council emergency meeting in a week– amid growing tensions between Israel and Palestine— ended inconclusively on Monday. This happened after the United States again blocked the adoption of a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians in the region, reported AFP quoting officials.

Earlier in the week, the US twice blocked the resolutions that would have condemned Israel’s military response and called for a ceasefire. 

Also read: Watch: 12-year-old rapper from Gaza says ‘nothing has changed’ in powerful song

The text drafted by China, Tunisia and Norway calling for the “cessation of violence and respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, especially children” was submitted for approval on Monday by the Council’s 15 members.

The United States indicated that they “could not currently support an expression” by the Security Council, a diplomat told AFP.

Meanwhile, Israeli jets kept pounding Gaza on Monday. The violence that has killed more than 200 people, including 58 children, entered a second week.

Also read: Israel considering Gaza ceasefire amid growing international pressure: Report

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Israel and Palestinians to “protect civilians, especially children”, reiterating that Israel “as a democracy has an extra burden” to do so. He said Washington had requested “details” and a “justification” from Israel for an airstrike on a Gaza building housing international media outlets.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded for an immediate end to the bloody violence on Sunday, warning that the fighting could push the region into an “uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis”.