Russian UN representative says “no signs” of implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said Tuesday that the peace plan for the Gaza Strip proposed by US President Donald Trump, and subsequently endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, has not been implemented on the ground. 

“Overall, it has to be acknowledged that we do not see the signs of implementing Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803,” Nebenzia told the United Nations Security Council during a session dedicated to the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Speaking during a Security Council session dedicated to the escalating situation in the Middle East, Nebenzia offered a blunt assessment of the diplomatic stalemate, noting that Moscow sees no evidence of the plan being executed despite its formal approval.

Beyond the Gaza conflict, the Russian diplomat addressed the situation in Jerusalem where Israel has banned Palestinian Muslim worshippers from entering al-Aqsa Mosque and Christians from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

“Barring Muslims from entering al-Aqsa mosque compound during the last days of the month of Ramadan ‘for security concerns’ constitutes a flagrant provocation and a true ordeal for Muslims. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was also closed to the worshippers. We demand that Israel maintain the historical and legal status quo for holy sites in Jerusalem,” the Russian official said during the UNSC briefing on the situation in the Middle East.

READ: Israel using ‘Gaza playbook’ in Lebanon, destroying water infrastructure: Report