US urges Israel to take concrete steps to protect civilians in Gaza amid escalating tensions

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Deputy Permanent Representative of the US to the UN, Robert Wood, said American policy toward the Gaza Strip would be determined on the assessment of Israel's urgent and continuous steps to reduce civilian casualties.

Emphasizing the need for Israel to do more to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza, Wood said at the UN Security Council session on Palestine that "(US) President Biden has called on Israel to announce and implement a series of specific concrete and measurable steps to protect civilians from harm, address humanitarian suffering and ensure the safety of aid workers. "

Claiming that Hamas and its supporters, particularly Iran, are responsible for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Wood argued that Iran must ensure compliance with Security Council resolutions and international law.

He blamed Hamas for being the "sole obstacle" to a cease-fire in Gaza for refusing to disarm and accept Israel's offer.

"No country has worked harder than the US to improve the prospects for peace in the region," said Wood.

The US envoy also called on Israel to take urgent measures to address deficiencies in cease-fire procedures, particularly regarding the facilitation of widespread distribution of humanitarian aid and the targeting of humanitarian personnel in Gaza.

Reiterating support for Israel against the Iranian threat, Wood said the US would continue to support Israel in normalizing relations with its neighbors and pursuing diplomatic efforts for a two-state solution in Palestine.

- Russia urge Security Council to support Palestine's membership bid

Also at the Security Council session, Russia's permanent representative, Vassily Nebenzia, strongly criticized the US for casting three vetoes and blocking the Security Council from taking action to halt the Israeli military operation in Gaza.

"Our American colleagues did not conceal that they view the Security Council as a stumbling block," Nebenzia stated, accusing the US of giving "their main Middle Eastern ally a free hand to clear out the enclave."

Highlighting the devastating effect of US vetoes on Gaza, Nebenzia emphasized, "Every US veto cast on Gaza ... comes with a specific, frightful price -- the lives of thousands of peaceful citizens."

Nebenzia also criticized Western colleagues, particularly the US, UK and France, for failing to condemn Israel's strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, which he said violated the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises.

In response to "disrespectful" remarks from the Israeli envoy to the UN, Nebenzia noted that Israel was established based on a recommendation from the Security Council.

Calling on all Council members to support a draft resolution put forward by Algeria that will grant full membership of Palestine at the UN, Nebenzia expressed confidence that recognizing Palestine on par with Israel would contribute to a long-term settlement of the Palestine-Israeli conflict based on international legal principles and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Noting the importance of implementation of UN resolution 2728, which called for an immediate cease-fire during the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan, Nebenzia said sanctions can be imposed on "those who violate and sabotage" Security Council decisions.