Kuwait submits Gaza resolution at UN Security Council

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON (AA) - Kuwait on Friday submitted a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that condemns Israeli violence and calls for "protection of the Palestinian people" in Gaza.

In the draft statement, Kuwait asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to address within 30 days its adoption that calls for "ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population".

It also asked for a condemnation in the strongest terms on the use of force by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians, demanding Israel to cease military reprisals, collective punishment and unlawful use of force against civilians.

The draft resolution also calls on Israel to lift its blockade in the Gaza Strip.

Diplomats said the negotiations on the resolution would begin on Monday, adding that talks with 10 temporal members of the council were "positive".

However, the U.S. which defends Israel in every aspect, is expected to veto the resolution at the UN Security Council.

At least nine out of 15 council members must vote in favor of accepting a resolution and permanent members of the UN such as Russia, China, Britain and France should not use any veto power.

On Monday, at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators were martyred and thousands more injured by Israeli armed forces along the Gaza-Israel fence, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Thousands of Palestinians had gathered in eastern Gaza Strip to take part in protests marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel -- which Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, Arabic for "Catastrophe" -- and protest the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.