New York: A resolution seeking “pauses on basis of sympathy of human beings” in Gaza approved in the United Nations Security Council to allow for aid delivery and medical evacuations, after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.
European country Malta put forward the resolution in the UNSC.
A 12-member of the UNSC voted in the favor of the resolution. While no any member opposed the resolution.
The resolution also called for opening of “corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days” to safeguard civilians, particularly children, ambassador Vanessa Frazier told the Council.
It additionally asked for the unconditional release of captives held in Gaza.
Whereas the three permanent members of the UNSC, the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Russia didn’t participate in the voting.
The resolution made no mention of a ceasefire. It didn’t refer to Palestinian group Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, during which Israeli authorities say about 1,200 people were killed and some 240 were taken captive.
It omitted Israel’s retaliatory air strikes and ground offensive in Gaza, which Ministry of Health officials say have killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children.
The resolution listed fuel as among the items that must be allowed to be delivered “unhindered”.
And it required that the UN chief give a report on its implementation at the next meeting of the Security Council concerning the Middle East.
the US envoy to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, condemned council members that she said still have not condemned Hamas.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, was quick to respond that the resolution would have “no meaning”, calling it “disconnected from reality”.
He maintained that Israeli was acting in accordance with international law in Gaza, a claim that has been rejected by several experts on the subject.
