Russia & China Concerned Over US Proposal in Security Council

Diplomats have reported that Algeria, the only Arab member of the UN Security Council, has indicated its reluctance to support the American proposal. 

The proposal requires at least nine affirmative votes and must avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, or Russia.

Biden's Proposal

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a three-phase ceasefire plan for the Gaza Strip, described as an Israeli initiative. Each phase lasts six weeks. 

The first phase involves a ceasefire during which around 30 Israeli detainees, including women, the wounded, and the elderly, would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians. 

The second phase includes the release of remaining Israeli detainees and soldiers, the return of displaced Palestinians, and Israel’s withdrawal from residential areas, as described by Biden. The United States is seeking international support for this plan.

Washington circulated its one-page draft resolution to the 15-member UN Security Council on Monday, with a revised version submitted on Wednesday.

Content of the U.S. Proposal

The U.S. proposal welcomes the ceasefire plan, describing it as acceptable to Israel, and calls on Palestinian factions to agree to it. 

Russia and China, however, want a complete ceasefire in Gaza as part of the first phase and a permanent cessation of hostilities in the second phase, based on mutual agreement.

Diplomats have noted that some Security Council members are questioning whether Israel has indeed accepted Joe Biden's plan. 

They advocate for the Council to endorse the immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all detainees and prisoners proposed last March.

Russian Proposal

Russia has proposed amendments to the U.S. draft, calling on both Israel and Palestinian factions to accept the proposal and demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire. 

Moscow also wants the draft to emphasize that the first phase of the ceasefire will remain in effect as long as negotiations on the second phase continue.