The United Nations Security Council took no action Tuesday on the issue of Hamas firing 460 rockets, missiles and mortar shells at Israeli civilians over a 24-hour period.
Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi explained to reporters following the closed session late in the day, “We were not able to find a solution to the situation in Gaza,” because, he said, the world body was unable to come to an agreement on the terrorist organization.
“We will not accept a call for both sides to exercise restraint,” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told reporters prior to entering the session.
“Every time Hamas shoots a rocket — children at school, adults at work, families all over the country hear this,” Danon said as he played the sound of the “red alert” air raid siren from a smartphone.
“Think of the children running fearfully into bomb shelters,” he said.
“Certain morally bankrupt members of the Security Council will jump to blame Israel, and others who pretend to be objective will call for restraint on both sides. But let me be clear: there is no ‘both sides.’ There is Hamas that attacks and fires over 460 missiles at civilians, and there is Israel that protects its people. The Security Council must condemn Hamas for its aggressive assault and finally designate it as a terrorist organization,” Danon added.
It was Kuwait who requested the 50-minute emergency session, along with Bolivia. Al-Otaibi said the majority of the members believed the Council “should do something” but took no action.
“There is one country that is not allowing discussion at the Council,” claimed Palestinian Authority representative Riyad Mansour, referring to the United States, which supports Israel.
Mansour told reporters the UNSC was “paralyzed” and had “failed to shoulder its responsibility” to end the violence.
No statement was issued by the Security Council following the session.