Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (Mar 25) called off his senior aides’ trip to Washington after the United States abstained from vetoing a United Nations Security Council proposal calling for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza.
The Israeli prime minister released a statement saying that The United States’ inability to veto the proposal, showed a “clear retreat” from its prior stance and would harm both the combat operation against Palestinian militant group Hamas as well as the endeavour to free more than 130 hostages who were still held captive in the Gaza Strip.
“In light of the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided the delegation would not leave,” his office said.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), on Monday (Mar 25) passed a resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas during the month of Ramadan and an unconditional release of all hostages held in the besieged enclave.
The UNSC adopted the resolution with 14 council members voting in favour of the measure and the United States abstained.
The text demanded an “immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.”
The White House however denied that the abstention reflected a diversion in the American policy.
The high-level delegation was scheduled to fly to Washington to hold talks around a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where reportedly over a million Palestinians are seeking refuge.
‘Nothing has changed about our view,’ says John Kirby
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said that Netanyahu’s decision to call off the meeting was unfortunate, however, the US would put forward its concerns regarding Israeli policies as part of the discussions between the two governments.
“It’s disappointing. We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington DC to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah.”
“Nothing has changed about our view that a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a major mistake,” Kirby said.
Israel bars aid delivery to north Gaza
Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Sunday stated that Israel had permanently banned them from delivering aid to the northern Gaza region, where the threat of starvation was at its peak.
“Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any @UNRWA food convoys to the north,” Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the agency, said on X.
“This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine.”
(With inputs from agencies)
