ALBAWABA - According to the UAE United Nations spokesperson, Shahad Matar, The UAE has requested an emergency UNSC meeting to be convened as soon as possible in light of Israel’s announcement that it is “expanding ground operations” in Gaza.
In the statement, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the need for an immediate ceasefire to ensure that civilians and civilian institutions are not targeted.
The Ministry further underlined the importance of the protection of civilians, according to international humanitarian law, international treaties for the protection of civilians and human rights, and the need to ensure that they are not targeted during conflict, the statement reads.
The UAE is a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2022-2023. Its Foreign Ministry released a statement on Saturday condemning the Israeli ground operation in Gaza.
WAM News Agency reported that the UAE also "expressed its deep concern over the Israeli military escalation and exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis that threatens more loss of civilian lives".
Last week, the UN Security Council was presented with a Russian draft resolution calling for a "humanitarian pause", which was largely opposed.
Only five of the 15 member states had supported the text, which condemned all violence against civilians and all terrorist acts but did not name Hamas, an unacceptable omission to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, Arab News reported.
Later on, Brazil presented a draft resolution which was vetoed by the United States as the text of the draft did not mention Israel’s right to defend itself.
Twelve of the fifteen members of the Security Council voted in support of the resolution, which also condemned the "heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas," while Russia and the United Kingdom abstained.
The United States was the only nation to vote against the resolution, but as one of the body's five permanent members, its vote was considered a veto.
Hamas operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
