Russia, China wrangle with US over UN resolution on Gaza ceasefire plan

 Russia and China, which hold veto powers in the UN Security Council, raised concerns on Thursday with a US draft resolution that would back a proposal — outlined by President Joe Biden — for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Reuters reports.

The US is seeking international support for the plan that Hamas is still studying. It circulated a one-page draft resolution to the 15-member UN Security Council on Monday and a revised version on Wednesday, both seen by Reuters.

Russia proposed amendments to the US text, which were seen by Reuters, that included calling upon both Hamas and Israel to accept the proposal and demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire respected by all parties.

Moscow also wants the draft to stress that the phase one ceasefire will remain in place as long as negotiations continue on phase two, reflecting remarks made by Biden last week.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an end to hostilities along the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, warning of the risk of a broader conflict, AFP reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting the northern border area after eight months of fighting with Hamas that has devastated Gaza, warned on Wednesday that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” along the border.

Daily exchanges of artillery fire between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified in recent days amid the Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“As the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line continue, the Secretary-General renews his calls to the parties to urgently cease fire,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement, referring to the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

“These exchanges of fire could trigger a broader conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address lawmakers in the US Congress on July 24, AFP reports.

The visit comes amid mounting pressure for the US ally and Hamas to agree to a permanent ceasefire, as Israel faces growing diplomatic isolation over the rising death toll in Gaza.

The four top party leaders in the US House and Senate from both sides asked Netanyahu last week to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in a letter voicing solidarity with Israel “in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive.”

Netanyahu’s visit “symbolises the US and Israel’s enduring relationship and will offer […] Netanyahu the opportunity to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending their democracy, combating terror, and establishing just and lasting peace in the region,” House Speaker Mike Johnson and top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

The visit comes after Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Israel to hold new elections in a rare example of strident criticism from a senior American official.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and the US government have condemned the harassment and assault of journalists during the Jerusalem Day flag march, urging Israel to protect reporters, Reuters reports.

During the march, which commemorates the June 5 capture of East Jerusalem by Israeli forces in a 1967 war, Israeli settlers and far-right protesters assaulted Palestinian freelance journalist Saif Kwasmi, who contributes to local agency Al-Asiman News, and Israeli journalist Nir Hasson, a reporter for the Israeli daily Haaretz, CPJ said in a statement, citing their employers.

Tens of thousands of flag-waving Israelis held the annual march on Wednesday. Police said 18 people, among them teenagers, were arrested, including for assaulting a journalist.

CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna said Israeli security forces “stood idly by” while protesters harassed and assaulted the journalists. CPJ urged Israel to probe the incidents and hold those responsible to account.

The US State Department also urged Israel to protect reporters from such assaults. “We have seen the videos of this incident. We have seen the photos of this incident. And we strongly condemn them,” a US State Department spokesperson separately told reporters.