Gaza: UN Security Council “demands” “large-scale” humanitarian aid

The resolution adopted by 13 votes in favor, none against and two abstentions (United States and Russia) “requires all parties to authorize and facilitate the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of large-scale humanitarian assistance” in Gaza and demands “take urgently” measures in this regard and to “create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities”.

The text also requires the use of “all access and circulation routes available throughout the Gaza Strip” for the delivery of fuel, food and medical equipment throughout the territory.

“We know that it is not a perfect text, we know that only a ceasefire will put an end to the suffering”commented the Ambassador of the Emirates Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, at the origin of the text.

But “If we don’t take drastic measures, there will be famine in Gaza”and this text “responds with action to the desperate humanitarian situation of the Palestinian people”she added before the vote.

“Real problem”

“A humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to address the desperate needs of the people of Gaza and end their nightmare”reacted for his part the Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterres, who had “hoped” more from the Council.

Directly attacking Israel, he considered that the “real problem” for the delivery of aid to Gaza is the“offensive” Israeli.

The resolution, the result of long discussions under the threat of a new American veto, has largely evolved since the more ambitious version proposed on Sunday by the Emirates.

The reference to a “urgent and lasting cessation of hostilities” present in Sunday’s text has disappeared, as has the less direct demand in the following version for an “urgent suspension of hostilities”.

A Russian amendment wanting to return to this call for a “urgent suspension of hostilities” was blocked by the United States, receiving 10 votes in favor and 4 abstentions.

“This is a tragic moment for the Council”denounced the Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia, denouncing the “blackmail” American.

The members of the Council wanted to avoid a new veto, while the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, shelled by Israeli forces in retaliation for the bloody and unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, are now threatened by famine.

The Security Council has been widely criticized for its inaction since the start of the war.

“Glimmer of hope”

This is only the second time that he has managed to agree on a text. Its previous resolution of November 15 called for “humanitarian breaks”. Five other texts were rejected in two months, including two due to American vetoes, the last on December 8.

The United States then blocked, despite unprecedented pressure from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the call for a “humanitarian ceasefire”also considered unacceptable by Israel.

“It took days, and many long nights, of negotiations to get it right, but today this Council brings a glimmer of hope in a sea of ​​unimaginable suffering“, assured American Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Negotiations on this new resolution were also intense around the terms of setting up a monitoring mechanism to ensure the “humanitarian” nature of the aid.

Another sensitive point, the absence once again in the text of a condemnation – and even of the name – of Hamas, castigated by Israel and the United States.

The text deplores “all acts of terrorism” as well as “all attacks against civilians”and demands the release “unconditional” of all the hostages.

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After the October 7 attack which, according to Israeli authorities, left around 1,140 dead, mostly civilians, Israel vowed to“annihilate” Hamas, shelling Palestinian territory, besieging it and carrying out a vast ground operation since October 27.

The Hamas Ministry of Health reported on Friday 20,057 deaths since the start of the Israeli bombardments, mainly women, children and adolescents, and more than 50,000 injured.