UN Security Council urges increased humanitarian aid for Gaza amid military operation
In a recent development, the United Nations Security Council has called for an escalation of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.
The move comes amidst concerns raised by the UN Secretary-General regarding the significant obstacles posed by Israel's military operations to the distribution of aid within the affected enclave, as reported by Reuters.
After several days of negotiations to avoid a potential U.S. veto, the Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday, urging measures to facilitate "safe, unimpeded, and extended humanitarian access" to Gaza and conditions for a "sustainable cessation" of hostilities.
The resolution represents a compromise compared to earlier drafts, which called for an immediate end to the 11-week war and a dilution of Israeli control over aid deliveries. This compromise paved the way for the vote in which the United States, Israel's main ally, chose to abstain.
The U.S. has consistently supported Israel's right to self-defense following the Hamas attack on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages in the enclave.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, argued that the Security Council should have focused more on hostage release, deeming the emphasis on "aid mechanisms" unnecessary, given Israel's facilitation of "necessary aid deliveries."
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank have divergent views on the measure. Hamas asserts that it is "insufficient" to meet the needs of the affected enclave, challenging international calls for an end to "Israeli aggression."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns that Israel's conduct creates "massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian assistance" in Gaza, where, according to the UN, available aid covers only 10% of the required amount.
Israel claims that since the beginning of the conflict, 5,405 aid trucks carrying food, water, and medicine have entered Gaza.
The latest casualty report from the Gaza Health Ministry states that 20,057 Palestinians have been killed, and 53,320 injured in the Israeli offensive, which devastated large portions of the enclave and displaced the majority of its 2.3 million residents.
Israel also reports 140 of its soldiers killed since launching the ground incursion on October 20.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
