After days of fighting, the UN Security Council issued a resolution calling for an increase in humanitarian aid for around two million people in need in the Gaza Strip. The most powerful UN body adopted a significantly watered-down compromise text in New York on Friday without calling for an immediate ceasefire. The US abstained from voting.
Since the beginning of the week, it appeared that Washington would use its veto power to protect the interests of its ally Israel. However, massive concessions from the negotiators prevented the decision from collapsing at the last minute. A total of 13 out of 15 countries voted in favor of the text, while Russia and the US abstained.
“Provide immediate access”
The decision, which is binding under international law, calls on Israel to “immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access” to the Gaza Strip. The conditions must also be created for a lasting cessation of violence.
On the controversial issue of how aid supplies would be controlled, council members agreed to appoint a responsible UN coordinator. This should also ensure that deliveries are accelerated in collaboration with all stakeholders. The Council further demands that humanitarian supplies flow into the Gaza Strip through all available border crossings.
Passages removed due to pressure from the US
However, other passages were deleted under pressure from the US: a paragraph condemning “all violations of international humanitarian law, including all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects” is no longer in the resolution. The previously requested immediate suspension of violence to enable aid deliveries is also missing.
A number of council members were dissatisfied with the text because of its significant weakening. It remains unclear how much impact the resolution will actually have. Despite its binding nature, the consequences for Israel if it is violated are likely to be manageable. The United Arab Emirates’ chief negotiator, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, called the text “not perfect” and stressed the need for a ceasefire to help people in need and prevent famine.
Famine and displacement
As a result of the Israeli warfare of the past ten weeks, the humanitarian situation for the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip is dramatic. A recent UN study shows that 577,000 people in the closed coastal strip fall into the most severe hunger category. In contrast, 129,000 people in the rest of the world are currently at a similar risk. Nearly everyone in the Gaza Strip is hungry or displaced. Israel has sealed off and attacked the Gaza Strip following the horrific terrorist attack by Islamist Hamas on October 7.
The US government in particular had long had internal difficulties with the negotiations on the resolution tabled by the United Arab Emirates. According to reports, leading diplomats were already prepared to abstain at the beginning of this week. But President Joe Biden initially made the decision to veto, despite a conversation Tuesday with U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. But then US Secretary of State Antony Blinken won further concessions in direct talks with his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, according to diplomats.
Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya accused the US of “shameful, cynical and irresponsible behavior” during their negotiations outside the Council. The Chinese representative expressed disappointment at what Beijing perceived as too weak, including the lack of a ceasefire demand. However, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the adopted resolution uses the full power of the UN Security Council to help the people of the Gaza Strip.
Washington stood with Israel
In recent weeks, two similar draft resolutions have failed due to American resistance. Washington has always stood by Israel, saying that progress through a resolution could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts on the ground. So far, it was only a few weeks ago that the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the conflict that is binding under international law with a humanitarian bent. The UN General Assembly, on the other hand, has already called for an end to the violence twice through resolutions. However, the resolutions of this body are not binding, but rather considered symbolic.
UN Secretary General António Guterres had also taken unusually strong steps to urge the Security Council to call for a humanitarian ceasefire. In a recent letter to the Council he referred to Article 99 of the UN Charter. This allows the Secretary General to bring to the attention of the Security Council “any matter which, in his opinion, may endanger the guarantee of international peace and security” – and which the UN says has not been used for decades.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
