US demand for condemnation of Hamas fails at UNSC
United States (US) calls for condemnation of Hamas at yesterday's United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting reportedly went unanswered. However, the US focus at the meeting was the condemnation of Hamas and emphasized that Hamas must immediately 'stop its terrorist attacks against the people of Israel.'
The United States' (US) call for condemnation of Hamas at yesterday's United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting reportedly went unanswered.
The UNSC held a meeting on the attacks launched by the Hamas Movement on October 7.
After the meeting, which was closed to the press, the representatives made statements to the journalists.
Robert Wood, US Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), noted that many members condemned the Hamas attacks at the meeting, but not all Council members supported this condemnation.
Wood said the US focus at the meeting was the condemnation of Hamas and emphasized that Hamas must immediately "stop its terrorist attacks against the people of Israel".
Wood was asked by members of the press whether a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine was important.
"There will be time for that. Right now we have to deal with hostage-taking and Hamas attacks,” he said.
RUSSIA AND CHINA NOT DIRECTLY CONDEMN HAMAS
Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia stated that the US implied during the meeting that Russia did not condemn the attacks.
"This is not true. We condemn all attacks on civilians,” Nebenzia said.
Emphasizing that no country had proposed a clarification of the Council's idea, Nebenzia said that Russia had sent a clear message at the meeting that "it is important to immediately stop hostilities, establish a ceasefire and hold meaningful negotiations".
Zhang Jung, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, also did not condemn Hamas directly but said that Beijing condemns all attacks on civilians.
Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, accused Hamas of "committing war crimes" in a statement to reporters before the meeting.
Palestine's Permanent Representative to the UN Riyad Mansour stated that Israel's blockade and continuous attacks on Gaza failed to achieve its goal of destroying Hamas' military capability and said, "Now is the time to stop the violence and bloodshed. Now is the time to end the blockade and open a political horizon."
WHAT HAPPENED
Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced that they launched a comprehensive attack against Israel called "Al-Aqsa Flood" on the morning of October 7.
While thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, armed groups entered the settlements in the region.
The Israeli army also launched an attack on the Gaza Strip with dozens of warplanes.
Source: Anadolu Agency
