The text was rejected for obvious reasons, Mansour said, noting the lack of any singling out of Israel for its crimes and the possibility expressed in the draft resolution for a future military operation in the southern governorate of Rafah.

“We are against the forcible transfer in and out of Gaza, and we totally reject any attempt to storm and attack Rafah area, including Rafah city”, the diplomat added in a press appearance.

The Palestinian representative thanked the position of those who opposed the draft (Russia, China and Algeria) and assured that he would support another draft resolution for a ceasefire which is expected to be voted on soon.

In turn, Algeria’s permanent ambassador to the UN, Amar Bendjama, warned that the draft resolution fell short of expectations, failing to adequately address major issues such as the immense suffering of the Palestinian people.

The draft does not convey a clear message of peace and tacitly allows civilian casualties to continue, while lacking a clear safeguard to prevent further escalation, added the diplomat, who represents Arab countries before the Council.

“Those who believe that the Israeli occupying power will choose to comply with its international legal obligations are mistaken; they should abandon this fiction, ‘ he argued.

The resolution presented Friday was vetoed by China and Russia, considering it an extremely politicized instrument.

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