UN Security Council Meeting on Gaza Crisis

Date- 22/02/2024
Location for the meeting was UN Headquarters in New York
Issue discussed was the ongoing war and tensions in Gaza Strip
Duration of Conflict is approaching 140 days
Special Coordinator's Statement: Tor Wennesland highlighted no end in sight to the conflict, trauma, suffering, and desperation
Humanitarian Situation has been described as shocking, unsustainable, and desperate by Mr. Wennesland
As per the regional impact, tensions are spilling into wider Middle East region with no solutions in sight

Paris Hostage Talks Aim to Secure Cease-Fire in Gaza

Hostage talks set for Paris on Friday involving top U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials
Aimed at securing a cease-fire and release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza
Follows meetings between U.S. envoy and Israeli officials
Escalating tensions and violence in the Middle East, including strikes in Gaza and a shooting near a West Bank checkpoint
Efforts gaining momentum, with both Hamas and Israel willing to negotiate over an interim deal involving hostage and prisoner exchange

Egypt Builds Wall and Clears Land near Gaza Border Amid Rising Tensions

Egypt has erected over 3km of wall along its border with Gaza, accompanied by extensive land clearance in the vicinity.
The construction surge follows Israel's warning of a potential ground offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza experiencing a population surge.
While Egyptian authorities claim the project aims to establish a logistical hub for aid, aid workers doubt this explanation.
Satellite images reveal a significant clearing of approximately 16 sq km, with construction of the wall expanding rapidly.
Despite assertions of aiding displaced Palestinians, no provisions are reportedly made, raising suspicions about the true purpose of the endeavor.
Aid workers express skepticism, noting the lack of communication with humanitarian agencies about the supposed logistics hub.
Security experts speculate that the massive clearing and construction could be Egypt's preparation for a worst-case scenario, potentially hinting at conflict readiness.

China Criticizes US Veto on Gaza Ceasefire as Tensions Persist

China criticizes US veto of UN ceasefire resolution for Gaza, citing wrong message and continued violence.
US defends veto, citing potential harm to ongoing negotiations.
Israel's Prime Minister vows to continue war despite warnings of slaughter in Gaza.
Concerns rise over potential consequences of major ground offensive in Rafah.
Failure of UN resolution highlights challenges in diplomatic resolution.
Gaza remains in dire situation with millions displaced and lack of essential resources.

Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: Ship Attacked in Red Sea, Gaza Strip Bombardment Continues

British-owned ship MV Rubymar attacked in the Gulf of Aden by Houthi rebels with anti-ship missiles, prompting crew evacuation.
⁠Israeli bombardment of Gaza Strip persists, with concerns over potential ground offensive in Rafah, where over 1.5 million Palestinians seek shelter.
EU nations issue warning against Israeli offensive in Rafah, calling for humanitarian pause and lasting cease-fire.
Analysts foresee further escalation as Israel advances in Gaza and plans to push Hezbollah back into Lebanon, raising regional tensions.

Labour Party Narrowly Avoids Rebellion Over Gaza Ceasefire Vote

Speaker of the House of Commons allows vote on Labour amendment calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, avoiding rebellion from Labour MPs.
SNP motion for ceasefire prompts Labour's response; previous SNP motion saw 56 Labour MPs, including eight frontbenchers, quit party in support.
Speaker's decision to allow multiple amendments criticized for breaking precedent, but defended for considering widest range of options.
Keir Starmer faces pressure to take firmer stance on Israel's actions; Labour's amendment signals shift in party's position.
Israel threatens to expand operations in Gaza, Labour amendment opposes offensive in Rafah to prevent humanitarian catastrophe.
SNP welcomes Labour's shift, highlighting its role in influencing party's stance; Labour amendment addresses unbalanced language in SNP motion.
⁠Differences between SNP motion and Labour amendment include omission of "collective punishment" reference and acknowledgment of Israel's right to self-defense.

Israeli Knesset Supports Netanyahu's Opposition to Unilateral Palestinian State

Israeli Knesset overwhelmingly backs Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance against unilateral creation of Palestinian state.
⁠Position emphasizes necessity of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinians for any permanent agreement.
⁠Critics argue Israel's stance gives it unilateral veto power over Palestinian statehood, hindering progress towards a two-state solution.
⁠Palestinian delegation cites Netanyahu's statements in International Court of Justice to challenge Israel's commitment to good-faith negotiations.
⁠Netanyahu's declarations affirm Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem, commitment to building and developing West Bank, and maintenance of Israeli military control over the territory.

Gold Prices Inch Up Amid Weaker Dollar and Middle East Tensions

Gold prices see slight increase, set for first weekly rise in three weeks, boosted by weaker U.S. dollar and rising tensions in the Middle East.
Spot gold up 0.1% at $2,025.7 per ounce, with U.S. gold futures also edging 0.2% higher.
Physical buying, especially from central banks, supports gold, along with stable dollar and geopolitical uncertainties.
Middle East tensions escalate as Yemen's Houthis claim attack on UK-owned ship and target Israel's Eilat with ballistic missiles and drones.
Weaker dollar index contributes to gold's appeal, making it less expensive for overseas buyers.
Data showing higher U.S. consumer and producer prices dampens hopes for early Fed interest rate cut, limiting gold's gains.
Fed Governor Waller suggests delaying rate cuts to assess inflation trend, with markets currently pricing in 62% chance of rate cut in June.
Spot platinum and palladium prices decline, while silver sees slight gain despite weekly decrease.

Read More At: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/gold-set-weekly-gain-weak-dollar-middle-east-woes-lift-appeal-2024-02-23/

G20 Foreign Ministers Express Strong Support for Two-State Solution Amid Israel-Palestine Conflict

G20 foreign ministers unanimously back a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine during a meeting in Rio de Janeiro.
Despite Israel's parliament voting against unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, G20 nations emphasize the necessity of a two-state resolution.
Key diplomats, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, attended the meeting.
Israeli military campaign in Gaza Strip and Russia's war in Ukraine were central topics of discussion, highlighting global concerns over conflicts and polarization.
Pressure mounts on Israel for the creation of a Palestinian state, with growing international support, including from the United States.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov criticizes the West's interference in internal affairs, while G20 fails to make diplomatic progress on Ukraine conflict.
G20's first high-level meeting of the year sets the stage for annual leaders' summit in Rio in November.

Indian diesel floods to Asia as Houthis imperil flows to Europe

Diesel shipments from India to Europe are at their lowest since 2022 due to Houthi attacks on shipping, diverting more cargoes to Asia.
EU and UK arrivals plunged over 90% in February, driven by higher freight costs and unplanned Asian refinery maintenance.
Flows to Asia increased as it became more economically viable amid Red Sea turmoil and elevated shipping risks to Europe.
Despite the drop, some vessels loaded in India are en route to Rotterdam, indicating potential future diesel shipments to Europe.
Diesel-type fuel arrivals from India to Asian destinations, including Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, surged in the same period.
Analysts anticipate better arbitrage economics, expecting an increase in diesel exports from India to Europe in the coming weeks.

Bidding pipeline in West Asia remains strong: L&T

L&T shares declined due to reports of Saudi Aramco deferring $10 billion Safaniyah oilfield projects.
L&T's West Asia bidding pipeline remains robust, encompassing Blue Ammonia, Desulphurisation, petrochemical projects, Indian market opportunities, and ongoing Aramco projects.
Saudi Aramco decided to pause the expansion of its oil production capacity in line with a governmental directive.
Aramco aims for a maximum sustained production capacity of 12 million barrels per day (bpd), 1 million bpd less than the 2020 target.

EAM Jaishankar attends Munich security conference; bilateral talks with Antony Blinken

EAM S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Munich on February 17 during the ongoing security conference.
Discussions focused on the situations in West Asia, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Both leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties between the United States and India.
Secretary Blinken highlighted the mutually reinforcing approaches of the US and India to maritime security in the Red Sea.
The meeting addressed ongoing efforts to ensure lasting peace and security in West Asia.
The interaction took place on the sidelines of the 60th Munich Security Conference, held as an in-person event from February 16-18, 2024.

Raisina Dialogue 2024: From Technology To Climate, War, Peace And Multilateralism

The 9th Raisina Dialogue in Delhi opened with Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event.
Organized by Observer Research Foundation and Ministry of External Affairs, the conference focuses on geopolitics and geo-economics under the theme "Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate and Create."
Participants include former heads of state, ministers, military commanders, industry leaders, tech experts, academics, and youth from 100+ countries.
Six thematic pillars guide discussions, covering tech's impact on political stability, climate action, emerging warfare, multilateralism challenges, the post-2030 agenda, and defending democracy.
Over 2500 in-person participants from 115 countries, with global viewership on digital platforms.

Potential U.K. Labour Party rebellion averted as Parliament considers ‘immediate’ ceasefire in West Asia

Commons speaker allows Keir Starmer to hold a vote on Labour's amendment, avoiding a rebellion over Gaza.
Dozens of Labour MPs planned to vote for SNP's motion on an immediate Gaza ceasefire.
Unusual decision to allow both government and Labour amendments sparks anger and prompts criticism.
If Labour's amendment succeeds, it replaces the SNP motion, preventing Labour MPs from voting for a direct ceasefire.
Government's amendment calls for a ceasefire under specific conditions, including Hamas relinquishing control of Gaza and progress towards a two-state solution.
Vote on Labour's amendment scheduled for Wednesday evening; if it fails, MPs will vote on the unamended SNP motion and the government's amendment.

News bits proofread, compiled and drafted by:

Shubhdayini R. Jandev (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)

Deepanshi Pathak (B.A. I.R., 2nd Year)

Aita Dey (B.A. I.R., 3rd Year)

Published by:

Alithia Clemency Paul (M.A. I.R., 2nd Year)

VIJIGISHU '24

Friday, 23 February 2024

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