US Calls for Other Nations To Condemn Hamas Attacks as Security Council Remains Silent

(Photo : MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images)
Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City during an Israeli air strike on October 8, 2023. srael, reeling from the deadliest attack on its territory in half a century, formally declared war on Hamas Sunday as the conflict's death toll surged close to 1,000 after the Palestinian militant group launched a massive surprise assault from Gaza.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met in an emergency session behind closed doors in response to the conflict between Israel and Gaza but was unable to reach the majority required for a joint statement.

Since Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the blockaded Gaza Strip launched an assault on Israeli towns on Saturday and held hundreds of people hostage, at least 1,100 people have been slain, as per Politico.

UNSC Emergency Session on Israel-Gaza Conflict Fails to Reach Consensus

Israel attacked by declaring war and bombarding densely populated Gaza, killing hundreds. Tor Wennerland, the Middle East peace envoy for the United Nations, addressed the council during its roughly 90-minute meeting.

Diplomats reported that members led by Russia desired a broader emphasis than condemning Hamas. The United Arab Emirates, which promoted relations with Israel as part of a historic agreement for 2020, stated that it anticipated additional UNSC meetings on the crisis.

In addition, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors on Sunday, during which the United States demanded that all 15 members firmly condemn "these heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas," but they took no action right then.

Robert Wood, the deputy ambassador for the United States, stated afterward that "a good number of countries" condemned the Hamas attack, but not all council members. According to Aljazeera, he told reporters that they could likely deduce one of them.

Russian, Chinese Ambassadors Reject Claims of Non-Condemnation

The Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, told the Associated Press that the Americans attempted to claim during the meeting that Russia does not abhor the attacks, but "that is false." Earlier, as he entered the meeting, the Chinese ambassador, Zhang Jun, expressed a similar view.

He added that Beijing condemns all attacks on civilians, without mentioning Hamas. Wood made it clearly that the United States is focused on condemning Hamas for "this unprovoked invasion and the terrorist attacks," and he stated that Hamas must cease its "violent terrorist activity against the Israeli people."

When asked if it wasn't crucial to resume negotiations on a two-state solution and terminate the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he replied, "There will be a time for that. Currently, we must address Hamas's hostage-taking and violence. and we must address the most important matters first."

The Chinese ambassador stated that the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, must "be heard." However, Nebenzia stated that no country submitted a statement for the council's consideration.

This could occur in the coming days if disagreements regarding condemning Hamas and decrying civilian fatalities can be resolved, as well as if an agreement can be reached on potential language regarding ending the violence and resuming negotiations.

The ambassador of Malta to the United Nations, Vanessa Frazier, who called for the meeting, stated that she did not know if the council would adopt a statement, but that any condemnation must be directed primarily at Hamas. "Palestinian civilians are also victims in this situation, and Hamas put them in this position," she said, as per the Washington Post reported.