The United Nations Security Council will convene tomorrow, Tuesday, for a briefing session on the Palestinian issue focused on the reconstruction of Gaza, as reported by the Palestinian News Agency “WAFA”.
According to the agency, members will hear a briefing from Mark Lowcock, the United Nations’ top humanitarian coordinator for Gaza reconstruction, in accordance with Resolution 2720 dated December 22, 2023.
Days ago, Lowcock met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington.
Earlier, the American news site “The Intercept” revealed that the US House of Representatives voted to block funding for Gaza reconstruction, largely supported by the United States in its significant destruction.
This resolution was introduced by several Republican representatives, led by Brian Mast of Florida, Claudia Tenney of New York, and Andy Biggs of Arizona, who amended the Annual Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025. Democrats opposed the amendment, which passed by a simple voice vote without requesting a recorded vote.
Mast stated in the House chamber before the vote, “We are in an absolute war with one of our greatest allies anywhere in the world.”
The Florida Republican, a former volunteer in the Israeli army, has repeatedly made inflammatory comments against Palestinians since October 7: “It is illogical to suggest rebuilding a place destroyed by Israeli and American bombs for eight months.”
The United States has allocated $12.5 billion to Israel just this year, in addition to $3.8 billion added to a previously approved $8.7 billion in April.
It is said that the Israeli attack on Gaza destroyed over half of the buildings in the besieged enclave, displaced around 1.7 million Palestinians, and killed more than 37,000 people.
The American site noted that the reconstruction provision is just one of many amendments focused on Gaza introduced by moderate Republicans and Democrats on the defense budget that must be passed.
Some proposals, such as the reconstruction proposal, are likely to face more resistance in the Senate.
