UN Security Council holds open debate on Palestinian-Israeli issue

The United Nations (UN) Security Council held a high-level open debate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue on Thursday before the vote to allow Palestine to join as a full UN member state.

Speaking at the open debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to help the Palestinians realize their long-cherished aspiration to establish a sovereign and independent state.

Guterres said that the ultimate goal of resolving the Middle East issue remains a two-state solution -- Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

This means an end to the occupation and the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part, Guterres said.

"Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence. I urge every government involved to use its influence and leverage to promote trust-building, mutual security, and regional peace," said Guterres.

Riyad Mansour, Palestine's permanent observer, called on the Security Council to adopt a resolution to push for full membership for Palestine.

At the open debate, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong said that the international community must no longer overlook the long-standing aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood, nor should it perpetuate the historical injustices they have suffered.

Fu highlighted the critical need for a resolute commitment to revitalizing the two-state solution.

The fundamental way out for the Middle East question lies in the implementation of the two-state solution, so that both Palestinians and Israelis can realize common security and both the Arab and Jewish peoples can achieve common development, Fu said.

The Chinese envoy also said that China calls for an international peace conference that is more broad-based and effective to develop a timeline and roadmap for the realization of the two-state solution.

Noting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, China also calls for a strong determination, right choice and strong actions, as well as immediate ceasefire for humanitarian aids, according to the Chinese envoy.

After the open debate, the 15-member UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations."

As a result, the draft resolution received 12 votes in favor, two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland, and one vote against from the United States.

UN Security Council holds open debate on Palestinian-Israeli issue

Both Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday claimed attacking each other's military targets in the past 24 hours.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday that the Russian armed forces had occupied more advantageous positions in multiple directions, repelling several military attacks from Ukraine and hitting Ukrainian targets including armored vehicles, artillery systems, and electronic warfare stations.

Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the same day that the Ukrainian forces had engaged in nearly 100 battles with Russian forces in directions such as Avdiivka, striking Russian target sites including command posts and drone ground control points.

Officials in Odessa, Ukraine, said on Wednesday night that the Russian armed forces launched attacks on the city with ballistic missiles, resulting in at least 13 injuries and causing a big fire at a targeted site. Russia has not responded to the claim yet.

According to Reuters, Russian officials said on Tuesday that Ukraine had attacked Crimea with U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), but six of them had been shot down by Russia. The head of the Crimea Sergei Aksyonov confirmed that ATACMS were shot down over the Crimean Peninsula. On the same day, TASS reported that unexploded ordnances were found in Crimea after the missiles were shot down.

On Wednesday, Russian news agency Sputnik reported that John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council, denied Russia's claim of shooting down ATACMS. However, he did not provide any evidence to support his statement.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian media reported that Ukrainian forces had launched a large-scale attack on Crimea early that morning with ATACMS. According to German media reports, the Ukrainian strikes targeted Russian military bases in Crimea.

The U.S. State Department confirmed in a press briefing last Wednesday that the U.S. had shipped long-range tactical missiles to Ukraine, which arrived in April.

Russia, Ukraine claim attacking each other's military targets