The United States and Russia have submitted rival draft resolutions on the Gaza conflict to the UN Security Council, setting up a confrontation among the council’s veto powers as diplomats said a vote could take place as early as next week.
The US draft seeks to secure President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan.
“We urge the Security Council to seize this historic moment to pave a path towards enduring peace in the Middle East by supporting this resolution,” the US mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Thursday.
“Attempts to sow discord now” would have grave consequences for the population in Gaza.
Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia,Jordan and Türkiye have publicly backed the US draft.
Russia, however, has introduced its own resolution, which includes recognising Palestine as a state. China has signalled it is prepared to support the Russian draft.
Russia, China and the US all hold veto power in the council — meaning any resolution they vote against cannot be adopted.
Last week, the Group of Seven (G7) leading democracies pushed for a UN Security Council mandate to ensure swift implementation of the Gaza peace plan. The Security Council has repeatedly been divided over the conflict in recent years.
Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza confirmed on Saturday it had received the bodies of 15 Palestinians the day before under the US-brokered ceasefire exchange deal.
“The Ministry of Health announces the receipt of 15 bodies of martyrs who were released yesterday, Friday, by the Israeli occupation through the Red Cross. This brings the total number of bodies received to 330,” as part of the deal, the ministry said, adding it had so far identified 97.
They were returned in exchange for the remains of 73-year-old Israeli captive Meny Godard, which Hamas returned via the Red Cross on Thursday. t— Agencies
