Israel-Palestine war: UN Security Council votes for ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Gaza after weeks of debate
The United Nations Security Council voted on Wednesday to pass a resolution that called for “extended humanitarian pauses” to allow aid into Gaza after weeks of debates and disagreements at the UN body.
Malta presented the UN Resolution on Wednesday, which also called for the return of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October.
Before the 15-member body could vote on Malta’s resolution, Russia made a last-ditch attempt to add an amendment that explicitly called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Russia’s amendment did not go through, with the United States voting against the proposal.
But despite disagreements, the council voted through Malta’s resolution, with 12 members voting for it and three members, including Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, abstaining on the motion.
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The adopted resolution demands compliance with international law, explicitly protecting civilians, especially children. It also calls on all parties not to deprive civilians in Gaza of services needed for their survival.
Out of the more than 11,000 Palestinians killed by Israel's aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the enclave, nearly 40 percent of them have been children, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel's bombardment and subsequent invasion of Gaza started as a response to the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October that killed 1,200 and took 242 Israelis hostage.
It also demands “extended humanitarian pauses” to allow for aid delivery by UN agencies, the Red Cross, and “impartial humanitarian organisations”.
Malta’s UN ambassador, Vanezza Frazier, introduced the resolution and said its primary aim was to help protect children trapped in the crossfire.
“This draft resolution we have in front of us today seeks to offer hope in this dark hour," Frazier said.
"[It] aims to ensure respite from the current nightmare in Gaza and give hope to the families of all victims.”
The United States and the United Kingdom welcomed Malta’s resolution despite abstaining from the final vote.
“Although the US is disappointed by what is not in the text, we support many of the important provisions this council has adopted,” said US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield.
“For starters, 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.”
Wednesday's meeting is the fifth time the council attempted to take action since the conflict erupted.
The biggest stumbling block to a UN Security Council Resolution passing has been the condemnation of Hamas, which Malta’s resolution does not do, and debates surrounding a humanitarian pause and ceasefire.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, in reacting to the resolution, said, "The decision is disconnected from reality and holds no significance. Israel already operates in Gaza according to international law, while Hamas terrorists will ignore the decision and certainly not act in accordance with it."
"Israel will continue its actions until the destruction of Hamas and the return of the kidnapped."
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