The UN Security Council approved this Friday a resolution to promote send humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, after a week of intense negotiations. The initiative, presented by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), had to be rewritten several times due to objections from the United States, which has veto power over the organization and which ultimately abstained, as did Russia.
The text asks the UN secretary general, António Guterres, to appoint a special coordinator to monitor and verify the sending of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave, subjected to continuous bombing after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last October 7.
The resolution, adopted with 13 votes in favor, none against and two abstentions (United States and Russia), “calls on all parties to authorize and facilitate the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of large-scale humanitarian assistance” to Gaza and”create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities”.
The agreement was in jeopardy until the last moment. Shortly before the vote, the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasili Nebenzia, proposed an amendment to recover a reference that the original text made to the need to suspend hostilities to allow the entry of humanitarian aid.
This sentence was replaced after The objections of the United Statesfor a somewhat vaguer mention of the need to take “urgent steps” towards the cessation of hostilities.
An Egyptian truck carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza stopped for inspection at the border. Photo. AP The Russian amendment was supported by a majority of Council countries, but vetoed by the United States.
Finally, Russia abstainedallowing the resolution to move forward.
It also requires the use of “all available access and circulation routes throughout the Gaza Strip” for the delivery of fuel, food and medical equipment throughout the territory.
In statements preceding the start of the vote, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, admitted that her text “is not perfect” and that only a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will serve to alleviate the terrible humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian region. enclave, where more than 20,000 people have already died.
According to the resolution, the UN Secretary-General must appoint a humanitarian coordinator, to whom he must present a mechanismspeed up the delivery of aid and present a plan in the next twenty days.
The UN Security Council reached the agreement after a week of negotiations. Photo: REUTERS Tense negotiations
The text was supposed to be voted on on Monday, but was delayed day after day to give countries time to negotiate a language that could have the support of all capitals.
The United States has already vetoed only twice other resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing on one occasion that it did not recognize Israel’s right to defend itself and on another that it did not call for everyone’s release. hostages held by Israel. condition for ceasing the fighting.
Another resolution, introduced by the United States, calling for “humanitarian pauses” was vetoed by Russia and China on October 25.
Prior to today’s meeting, the Security Council had already met six times to discuss the Gaza issue, only once reaching consensus on a non-vetoed resolution calling for “urgent and prolonged humanitarian pauses” in the war. Then the United States also chose to abstain.
Source: EFE
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.