Instead of attacking Iran, they agreed to defeat Hamas
Palestine’s full UN membership was put to a vote and rejected by a U.S. veto
The United States has said it shares a mutual goal with Israel of defeating Hamas in its ground operation in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, where the majority of civilians have been evacuated. This is a de facto endorsement of Israel’s ground operation in Rafah, which the U.S. has vehemently opposed because of the civilian casualties.
According to the White House, on the 18th (local time), Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, convened a meeting of the US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group to discuss issues such as the Israel-Iran conflict and the Gaza Strip war.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, and other officials from related agencies of both countries attended the online meeting.
The White House reported that both sides agreed on a common goal: to see Hamas retreat from Rafah during the meeting. The U.S. has so far blocked Israeli plans to launch a ground war in Rafah, where Gaza refugees have evacuated. It is because, given the high concentration of refugees in the area, this could result in large numbers of civilian casualties.
However, recent Arab media reports have repeatedly stated that the US approved Israel’s ground operation in Rafah on the condition that Israel restrains its retaliatory attacks against Iran. This raises the possibility that Israel will conduct a ground operation in Rafah instead of attacking Iran. The West, including the US, has urged Israel to refrain from retaliating against Iran, seeing the potential for a pan-Mideast war.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) put the issue of Palestine’s full UN membership to a vote, but the U.S., a permanent council member, vetoed it. Out of 15 council members, 12 voted in favor and 2 abstained. For an issue to pass through the UNSC, none of the five permanent members, namely the U.S., China, Russia, the U.K., and France, should exercise their veto power.
Meanwhile, Palestine’s bid for full UN membership also failed. The UN Security Council (UNSC) put the issue of Palestine’s full UN membership to a vote, but a veto from the permanent member, the United States rejected the vote. Twelve of the 15 members of the Council voted in favor, with two abstentions (the United Kingdom and Switzerland). For a proposal to pass the Security Council, none of the five permanent members – the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France – must veto it.
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