The United Nations Security Council yesterday called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip for a “sufficient number of days” to allow humanitarian aid access.
The 15-member council overcame an impasse, which saw four unsuccessful attempts to take action last month, to adopt a resolution that also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
The United States, Russia and Britain, who are council veto-powers, abstained from yesterday’s vote on the resolution drafted by Malta. The remaining 12 members voted in favor.
Russia failed in a last minute bid to amend the resolution to include a call for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.
The council stalemate has largely been centred on whether to call for a humanitarian pause or a ceasefire. A pause is generally considered less formal and shorter than a ceasefire, which has to be agreed by the warring parties. The United States has backed pauses, while Russia has pushed for a ceasefire.
The council called “for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable ... the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.”
It was the fifth council attempt to take action since Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 people hostage. Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza, striking the enclave of 2.3 million from the air, imposing a siege and invading with soldiers and tanks.
The Security Council attempted four times in two weeks in October to act. Russia failed twice to get the minimum votes needed, the United States vetoed a Brazilian-drafted resolution and Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted resolution.
The resolution adopted yesterday demands compliance with international law, specifically the protection of civilians, especially children. It also calls on all parties not to deprive civilians in Gaza of basic services and humanitarian aid needed for their survival, welcomes the initial, limited deliveries of aid but calls for that to be increased.
In the wake of the Security Council deadlock last month, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted on October 28 – with 121 votes in favour – a resolution drafted by Arab states that called for an immediate humanitarian truce and demanded aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip and protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, the first truck carrying fuel into Gaza since the start of the war crossed from Egypt yesterday to deliver diesel to the United Nations, though it will do little to alleviate shortages that have hampered relief efforts.
The delivery was made possible by Israel giving its approval for 24,000 litres of diesel to be allowed into Gaza for UN aid distribution trucks, though not for use at hospitals, according to a humanitarian source.
“This is only 9pc of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities,” Tom White, director of UN relief agency UNRWA in Gaza, posted on social media platform X. He confirmed that just over 23,000 litres, or half a tanker, had been received.
“Our entire operation is now on the verge of collapse,” said UNRWA director Philippe Lazzarini. “It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meanwhile, said yesterday Israel was a “terror state” committing war crimes and violating international law in Gaza, sharpening his repeated criticism of Israeli leaders and their backers in the West.
Speaking two days before a planned visit to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Erdogan said Israel’s military campaign against Hamas included “the most treacherous attacks in human history” with “unlimited” support from the West.
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