Ghana abstained from voting on a resolution proposed by Russia concerning the conflict in Gaza in a crucial session at the United Nations Security Council on Monday.
The resolution, tabled by Russia, called for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, aid access and the safe evacuation of civilians from the war-torn region.
The Russian-led draft received five votes in favor (from China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia and the United Arab Emirates) out of the Council’s 15 members and four against (from France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States).
Notably, Ghana was the sole African country to abstain; Gabon and Mozambique voted in favor. Other abstentions included Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Malta and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, at least 500 people have been killed in an Israeli air raid on al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities in the besieged territory. Several world leaders have condemned the attack. A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the air raid as an act of “genocide” and a “humanitarian catastrophe”.
Abbas has also withdrawn from a previously scheduled meeting with US President Joe Biden, who is set to arrive in the region on Wednesday.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Jordanian foreign ministry strongly condemned Israel’s attack and emphasized the need for international protection for Palestinian civilians and an end to the fighting.
King Abdullah II said Israel’s bombing of the Gaza hospital was a “massacre” and a “war crime” that one cannot be silent about.
The Egyptian government has issued a statement denouncing the attack “in the strongest terms”, calling on the international community to step in and prevent further violations.
Health officials in Gaza said that most of the victims of the Israeli attack on the hospital are women and children and that the death toll will increase as many bodies remain unidentified. Officials have called for a large turnout at the funerals today.
In Gaza, at least five hospitals received warnings from Israel to evacuate. According to international law, hospitals are meant to be safe and off-limits to attacks. In Gaza, this principle is not upheld.
Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions.
Israel’s total siege of the territory has cut off supplies of food, water, and fuel for more than a week.