UN Security Council Backs Resolution Calling for Humanitarian Pauses, Hostages Release in Gaza

The United Nations Security Council gave its approval to a resolution on Wednesday. The resolution, which focuses on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, calls for immediate and prolonged humanitarian pauses and corridors across the Gaza Strip.

This marks a notable milestone as it is the first resolution to pass on this matter since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.top-3-benefits-early-social-security-claiming, as per Politico.

UN Passes Gaza Humanitarian Resolution Amid Abstentions

(Photo : DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
The United Nations logo is seen at UN headquarters in New York on October 4, 2023.

Six weeks into the conflict in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council has achieved a breakthrough by endorsing a resolution that calls for "urgent extended humanitarian pauses for [a] sufficient number of days to allow aid access" to the war-torn region.

This significant development comes after four previously unsuccessful attempts to adopt a resolution. Malta drafted the resolution encompassing several critical elements to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

It calls for the establishment of humanitarian corridors across the Gaza Strip and urges the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza.

However, the resolution faced mixed reactions from key players on the global stage. Notably, the United States and the United Kingdom, possessing veto power within the Security Council, abstained from voting.

Their decision stemmed from the absence of explicit criticism of Hamas within the resolution. Russia also abstained, primarily because the resolution did not explicitly demand an immediate ceasefire, which Russia viewed as a top priority.

Despite these abstentions, the resolution managed to pass with 12 votes in favor, marking the first UN resolution concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict since 2016.

The Israeli foreign ministry promptly rejected the resolution, while the Palestinian representative, Riyad Mansour, questioned the Security Council's next steps in response to Israel's defiance.

The decision by the United States to abstain in this vote reflects growing international concern over the civilian casualties and extensive destruction in Gaza, according to The Guardian.

US Shift on Gaza Resolution Eases UN Concerns

Human Rights Watch noted that the US shift from blocking resolutions to abstaining should serve as a "wake-up call" to Israeli authorities, demonstrating that global concern for the plight of children in Gaza is strong.

The passage of this resolution offers relief to the United Nations, as the Security Council's inability to reach a consensus since October 7 had dealt a severe blow to multilateralism and diplomatic efforts in the region. The resolution tasks UN Secretary-General António Guterres with monitoring any ceasefire that may be implemented.

It's worth noting that the final draft of the resolution changed the language from "demand" to "call" for humanitarian pauses, a modification that prompted criticism from Russia.

Russia expressed concerns that the absence of an explicit demand for a ceasefire might reduce the likelihood of even the humanitarian pauses being observed.

Additionally, the resolution called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups," and it urged all parties involved to adhere to their obligations under international law, particularly concerning the protection of civilians, especially children.

Before this successful vote, the Security Council faced significant deadlock over whether to call for a humanitarian pause or a ceasefire.

The United States advocated for delays, while Russia pushed for a formal ceasefire agreement. The resolution's omission of explicit condemnation of Hamas had been a point of contention for Israel's allies, the United States, and the United Kingdom, South China Morning Post reported.