The U.N. Security Council has issued a call to increase humanitarian assistance for Gaza, but the U.N. chief has expressed concerns about the obstacles created by Israel’s military operation, hindering the distribution of aid within the devastated enclave.
After extensive negotiations to avoid a potential U.S. veto, the Security Council passed a resolution on Friday, urging measures to ensure “safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access” to Gaza, as well as conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
The resolution was a toned-down version of earlier drafts, which demanded an immediate end to the 11-week-long war and sought to reduce Israeli control over aid deliveries. This compromise allowed for the vote, with the United States, Israel’s primary ally, choosing to abstain.
The United States has consistently supported Israel’s right to self-defense since the Hamas militants’ attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages back into Gaza.
Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, criticized the Security Council for not prioritizing the release of the hostages and deemed the focus on “aid mechanisms” unnecessary, as Israel already permits aid deliveries on the required scale.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank had differing opinions on the resolution, with Hamas considering it insufficient to meet the needs of the devastated enclave and defying international calls to end Israel’s aggression. On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry welcomed the resolution as a step towards ending the aggression, facilitating aid arrival, and protecting the Palestinian people.
The United States and Israel, both committed to eradicating Hamas, oppose a ceasefire, arguing that it would allow the Islamist militant group to regroup and rearm.
However, the Biden administration has become increasingly critical of the rising casualties and worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing ground and air offensive.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also expressed concerns about Israel’s military operation, emphasizing the need for a more conducive environment to ensure effective humanitarian assistance.
