UN Security Council Adopts Resolution Calling for Urgent Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza – News18

The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday adopted its first resolution since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in Gaza to address the escalating crisis. The successful vote followed four unsuccessful attempts last month due to differences in references to a ceasefire and condemnations of Hamas attacks.

The vote in the 15-member council was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia abstaining. The US and the UK abstained because of the resolution’s failure to condemn the October 7 attack by Hamas, and Russia because of its failure to demand a humanitarian cease-fire.

The final draft watered down language from “demands” to “calls” for humanitarian pauses, and for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.” The resolution, which was sponsored by Malta, managed to overcome the serious differences that had prevented the council from adopting four previous resolutions.

‘Immediate truce’

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia tried to amend the resolution just before the vote with language from a resolution adopted on October 27 by the 193-member General Assembly. It called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” The vote on the amendment was five countries in favor, the US opposed, and nine abstentions. It was not adopted because it failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes.

UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the Arab representative on the council, said its members supported the resolution, which she said will change the world’s perception that the Security Council “is indifferent.” “This is a first, important and overdue step,” she said, stressing that it must be followed by work toward a lasting humanitarian cease-fire.

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the observer State of Palestine, said the Security Council should have called a ceasefire by now and been convinced that there is no military solution. The Council “should have heeded the call by the UN and every humanitarian organization on Earth calling for a humanitarian ceasefire,” Mansour said. “It should have at least echoed the call of the General Assembly for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”

‘Disconnected from reality’

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued a statement saying the resolution “is disconnected from reality and is meaningless.” He criticised the council’s failure to condemn Hamas, claiming the militants were deliberately allowing the humanitarian situation to deteriorate so the United Nations would pressure Israel to back off of Gaza. “It will not happen,” Erdan said. “Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned.”

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield thanked Malta and other Council members for leading the initiative. However, she said her country could not vote “yes” on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the right of all Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks.

She was horrified that a few Council Members “still cannot bring themselves” to condemn the barbaric Hamas terror attack against Israel on 7 October. “While this text does not include a condemnation of Hamas, this is the first time we’ve ever adopted a resolution that even mentions the word ‘Hamas’”, she said. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is working tirelessly to facilitate the safe return of all hostages, including nine missing Americans and one US citizen.

UNGA

Earlier, the General Assembly resolution was approved on October 27 by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Since then, Israel agreed on November 9 to four-hour pauses. But only limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing. Gowan said that the council was able to speak at all gives its member nations “some respite,” but would likely not have any significant impact.

The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a “sufficient number of days” for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts. The resolution demands that “all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.”

(With agency inputs)