Arab terrorists hurled firebombs at an Israeli car in Samaria late Thursday night - but unlike in similar attacks just hours earlier the IDF was ready and waiting, shooting one terrorist and arresting another. Troops from the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion had laid an ambush at the road connecting the towns of Itamar and Elon Moreh in anticipation of an attack on Israeli vehicles. They opened fire just after the terrorists launched their potentially life threatening Molotov cocktail assault, which brings to mind a similar firebomb attack on a car last December that left an 11-year-old girl with severe burns . "A hit was identified on one of the terrorists, and another terrorist was arrested after a pursuit," said the IDF in a statement. Reportedly the wounded terrorist was transferred to a hospital in Ramallah by the Red Crescent in critical condition. "The IDF will continue to act to thwart terror in the Judea and Samaria region and to defend residents of the state." The commander of the force, Lt. Col. Liron Batito, said, "the fighters of the battalion were stationed in an ambush knowing the mission clearly: to prevent an attack on Israeli citizens." "The professionalism of the fighters and their striving for contact (with the terrorists) led to operational success worthy of praise," he added. "We will continue to do all that is needed with firmness and perseverance, so as to prevent terror and defend the citizens of the state of Israel." The firebomb attack is one of many that have taken place this week, amid a slew of terrorism focused in Jerusalem that included a lethal rock attack on an Israeli motorist this Sunday. Just several hours before the IDF ambush on Thursday, Arab terrorists hurled a firebomb at the IDF Ofrit Base in Jerusalem's Mount Scopus, setting off a fire in a forested area by the base. Later on Thursday night an Egged bus came under Arab rock attack, causing the driver to flee. It was then burned and destroyed by a firebomb in Jerusalem's Ras al-Amud.
A new resolution being proposed at the UN General Assembly would add a new procedure to the casting of vetoes by permanent members of the UN Security Council in light of Russia's use of its veto power on resolutions pertaining to its invasion of Ukraine. The resolution was proposed by the Liechtenstein delegation and is being co-sponsored by the United States. If the resolution passes, the General Assembly would convene whenever a veto is used on a resolution at the security council. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement: "The United States is co-sponsoring a UN General Assembly resolution, spearheaded by a core group of Member States led by Liechtenstein, on the UN Security Council veto. This innovative measure would automatically convene a meeting of the General Assembly after a veto has been cast in the Security Council. As negotiated in 1945, the UN Charter entrusts in the five Permanent Members of the Security Council the ability to prevent the adoption of a resolution through a veto – a mechanism long the subject of institutional debate. The United States takes seriously its privilege of veto power; it is a sober and solemn responsibility that must be respected by those Permanent Members to whom it has been entrusted." "There are times when a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council will conclude that a particular resolution will not advance international peace and security and will veto that resolution. When a Permanent Member casts a veto, that member should be prepared to explain why the resolution at issue would not have furthered the maintenance of international peace and security. Unfortunately, not all members of the Security Council share this sentiment. We are particularly concerned by Russia’s shameful pattern of abusing its veto privilege over the past two decades, including its vetoes to kill a UN observer mission in Georgia, block accountability measures and chemical weapons investigations in Syria, prevent the establishment of a criminal tribunal on the downing of flight MH-17 over Ukraine, and protect President Putin from condemnation over his unprovoked and unjust war of choice against Ukraine. "The UN General Assembly resolution on the veto will be a significant step toward the accountability, transparency, and responsibility of all of the Permanent Members of the Security Council members who wield its power," Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said. The US has often used its veto power in the Security Council to kill one-sided resolutions against Israel. It is unclear how this resolution would affect that policy. Related articles: 'We have enough funds to operate through May' Biden turning his back on Israel is the ultimate betrayal 'Israel committed genocide in Gaza' Qatar, Egypt welcome UNSC resolution on Gaza ceasefire