The Hamas Attack Could Change Everything in the World

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors amid the war between Israel and the Gaza Strip, but failed to reach the unanimity needed to pass a joint statement or resolution.

Already, at least 1,100 people have been killed since the Hamas terrorist group, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched an offensive on Israeli cities on October 7 and took hundreds of people hostage.

Israel has declared a state of war, cleared its territory of infiltrating militants and is now launching attacks on the densely populated Gaza Strip.

The Security Council met for about 90 minutes and heard a briefing from UN Middle East Peace Envoy Thor Wennesland. Council members did not reach agreement on the text of the possible statement. The US proposed to sharply and unequivocally condemn Hamas. Representatives of several participating countries responded by saying that the Security Council document should have a broader focus than just condemning Hamas.

Russia proposed, on behalf of the Security Council, to demand that all parties immediately cease hostilities, then move on to a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel as part of a landmark 2020 deal, said it expected additional UN Security Council meetings on the crisis to come up with a comprehensive solution.

“Many Council members believe that a political horizon leading to a two-state solution is the only way to finally resolve this conflict,” said UAE Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh.

Palestinian spokesman Riyad Mansour called on diplomats to “focus on ending the Israeli occupation.” “Unfortunately, the story for some media and politicians begins with Israelis being killed,” he said. It’s time to change course, we have a path to peace where neither Palestinians nor Israelis are killed.” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan showed pictures of Israeli civilians captured by Hamas. “These are war crimes – egregious, documented war crimes,” Erdan told reporters. “This atrocity must be condemned. Israel must be given strong support to defend itself – to defend the free world.”

The consensus necessary to adopt a single document has not been found to date. Discussions will continue, including behind the scenes at the UN.

Meanwhile, Israel is beginning a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. According to Defense Minister Yoav Galant, supplies of food, fuel and electricity to the Palestinian enclave are being stopped. According to Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army is moving to the offensive phase of Operation Iron Swords, the ultimate goal of which will be the complete destruction of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.