Israel-Hamas: UN Security Council passes resolution to boost Gaza aid delivery, refrains from demanding ceasefire – Gudstory

The UN Security Council voted to approve a resolution that “demands” all parties in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow “the safe and unimpeded delivery of large-scale humanitarian assistance”.

But the resolution removed the original call for an “immediate suspension of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas. The revised text was negotiated during a week and a half of high-level diplomacy by the United States, the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Arab countries. And others.

The United States and Russia abstained from Friday’s vote, which was delayed for several days as diplomats sought to avoid a veto by America’s closest ally, Israel.

However, the resolution did not mention or demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by an Israeli aerial bombing campaign and ground offensive to ‘eliminate’ Hamas fighters who rule the Gaza Strip.

Russia and the United States, who could both veto the much-delayed measure as permanent members of the council, abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor.

The United Nations says more than half a million people in Gaza are dying of hunger as not enough food has reached the besieged territory as Israel continues its vigorous campaign of airstrikes and ground operations for more than 10 weeks .

Palestinian officials said Friday that the death toll now exceeds 20,000 – about 1% of the territory’s pre-war population. The Ministry of Health in Gaza does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.

Israel says more than 130 of its soldiers have been killed in a ground attack after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and taking about 240 hostages. Was.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been crammed into shelters and tent camps as winter progresses, raising fears of the spread of disease.

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Published: 22 Dec 2023, 10:47 PM IST