In a landmark decision on Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for “urgent steps” to facilitate “safe, unhindered, and expanded” humanitarian access to Gaza. The move comes in response to the ongoing Israeli offensive in the region. Notably, the United States refrained from endorsing language urging a cease-fire in the conflict, a stance consistent with its previous decisions.
After days of intense negotiations and suspenseful delays, the resolution, submitted by the United Arab Emirates, secured a 13-0 majority vote. Permanent council members, the US and Russia, abstained from voting.
The resolution unequivocally demands that all parties involved in the conflict permit and streamline the use of all available routes within the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings. This is intended to ensure the smooth passage of humanitarian personnel and assistance to the civilian population in need.
Further specified in the resolution is a request for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a “senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator.” This appointment aims to expedite the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to the beleaguered civilian population in Gaza.
Ahead of the vote, the US exercised its veto power, rejecting an amendment proposed by Russia that called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in Gaza. The objective of this amendment was to guarantee “uninterrupted and safe” access to humanitarian aid.
The US has consistently blocked resolutions advocating for a cease-fire, drawing frustration from many nations globally, including some of its allies within the Security Council.
Addressing the council before the vote, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh underscored the resolution’s straightforward purpose. She emphasized its responsiveness to the dire humanitarian situation faced by the Palestinian people amid the conflict. The resolution also highlights the need for the urgent release of hostages and humanitarian access to address critical medical needs.
Negotiations among the council’s 15 members have been extensive, aiming to craft language that accommodates everyone’s concerns. Nusseibeh urged members not to reject the resolution, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the substantial needs of the affected population.
The vote assumes particular significance, given that since October 7, several Security Council resolutions on the conflict have failed due to vetoes by permanent members. This has prompted world leaders and observers to question the council’s effectiveness.
Since October 7, the Israeli army’s destructive war on Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll, with 20,057 reported deaths and 53,320 wounded, predominantly comprising children and women. Palestinian and international sources have decried the extensive damage to infrastructure, labeling it an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
