Kuwait pressures UN to condemn Israel for Gaza massacre

Kuwait has urged the UN Security Council to condemn Israel's use of force against Palestinian civilians "in the strongest terms," especially in the besieged Gaza Strip, and to deploy and international force to protect civilians.

A draft resolution circulated by Kuwait, which is the Arab representative on the council, also demands that Israel "immediately cease its military reprisals, collective punishment and unlawful use of force against civilians, including in the Gaza Strip."

Kuwait's effort comes after the Security Council failed to agree on a statement regarding a confrontation in Gaza on Monday that left 60 Palestinians dead. Palestinian officials have described it as a massacre of protesters demonstrating against a decade-long blockade that has left Gaza uninhabitable.

Israel's Ambassador Danny Danon responded to the draft resolution, saying, "The cynicism and attempts to distort reality have reached a new low. Israel will continue to defend its sovereignty and the security of its citizens against the terror and murderous violence of Hamas."

He slammed the resolution which urged the protection of civilians, equating protesters who fell victim to Israel’s unproportionate violence to terrorists: "This shameful draft resolution is a proposal to support Hamas' war crimes against Israel and the residents of Gaza who are being sent to die for the sake of preserving Hamas' rule."

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The United States has defended Israel's actions in Gaza and will very likely veto the resolution if it's put to a vote.

On Monday, Kuwait attempted to get the council to issue a statement expressing outrage at the killings and seeking an independent investigation, among calling for the protection of Palestinians who remain at high risk of Israel’s brutality. The US blocked the statement, claiming Kuwait’s defence of the besieged civilians was one-sided.

The Kuwaiti draft resolution calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population, including through the deployment of "an international protection mission."

Israel has come under international pressure after the massacre of Palestinians protesting against the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem on Monday.

It was the deadliest day in the besieged territory since 2014 war.

Over 117 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since protest dubbed "Great Return March" began on 30 March calling for their right of return.

The opening of the US embassy in the contested city of Jerusalem comes at a time when Palestinians are commemorating the Nakba, or "the Catastrophe", when hundreds of thousands of were forced from their homes during the formation of Israel.