October 17, 2023

*) UN Security Council rejects Russia's resolution on Gaza ceasefire The UN Security Council has rejected a Russian resolution that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians. Only four countries joined Russia in voting for the resolution. Four countries voted against it, including the United States. Six countries abstained. Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, had urged support for the resolution to respond to the “unprecedented exacerbation” of the situation. The Russian draft resolution would have called for “an immediate, durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire” and “strongly condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism.” It never mentions Hamas. *) Türkiye proposes multi-country guarantor system for Israel-Palestine conflict Türkiye's foreign minister has put forth a proposal for a guarantor system in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Ankara's central role in shaping the idea. Hakan Fidan underlined the need for multiple countries, including Türkiye, to act as guarantors once both parties reach an agreement, with the responsibility to ensure its implementation. Fidan also pointed out the importance of international pressure on Israel to adopt a two-state solution, saying Türkiye shared its views on this issue with the parties. Discussions between the Turkish foreign minister and the US revealed that the Biden administration supported a two-state solution. Stressing the importance of transforming the current situation into an opportunity for peace, Fidan said the presence of guarantor countries would be pivotal in achieving a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. *) Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday: Blinken US President Joe Biden will pay a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday following the Hamas attacks, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who also announced that Israel had agreed to work on civilian aid for Gaza. Blinken spoke after meeting for nearly eight hours at the defence minist