The UN Security Council, after lengthy delays, discussions and discussions, adopted a resolution to expand the supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip throughout its territory. 13 out of 15 Security Council members voted for the resolution, Russia and the United States abstained.
The US representative explained that the US abstained because the resolution did not condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas (recognized as a terrorist group).
Security Council Resolution 2720 calls for “immediate and sustained humanitarian pauses and corridors that will allow full, rapid and unimpeded access to victims and ensure rescue and recovery and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and to ensure humanitarian access.”
The resolution also calls on the parties to the conflict to comply with the international rules of war, not to endanger the lives of civilians, medical workers, UN employees, and not to target civilian infrastructure, schools, hospitals and buildings where refugees are located.
The resolution contains the following language:
“The resolution reaffirms, in accordance with international law, the obligations of the parties to the conflict to provide humanitarian assistance and requires that the parties allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance in the required volume directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip, and In light of this, calls for immediate steps to ensure secure, expanded humanitarian access and create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.†T
US Ambassador Linda Toms-Greenfield welcomed the resolution.
“It was difficult, but we did it,†Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote. “From the very beginning of this military conflict, the United States has worked tirelessly to overcome this humanitarian crisis, provide life-saving aid to Gaza, and free the hostages held in Gaza. We pushed for measures to protect civilians and humanitarian workers and worked to achieve long-term peace. Today’s vote is an expression of support for our efforts and direct diplomacy.”
The resolution also calls for the appointment of a Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction, who will monitor humanitarian aid that flows into Gaza from countries not party to the conflict. The coordinator will need to ensure that all deliveries are of a humanitarian nature. According to the resolution, this coordinator – a neutral person – should be appointed immediately and report on the work done to the Security Council. According to the wording in previous draft resolutions rejected by the negotiators, cargo monitoring was to be undertaken by the UN and its head, Antonio Guterres.
The representative of the Russian Federation criticized the adopted resolution. He called it “toothless and emasculated†and accused the United States of “twisting the arms†of Security Council members during the negotiations, and also said that they were “evading transparent discussions.†Vasily Nebenzya proposed a Russian amendment to this resolution, which called for “an immediate ceasefire to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access and take immediate steps to bring about a sustainable cessation of hostilities.”
The Russian amendment was put to a vote. 10 members of the Security Council voted for it, four abstained. The US vetoed it.
In accordance with the adopted resolution, humanitarian aid must be delivered to Gaza through all existing routes and channels. The resolution underscores the commitment to a two-state solution to the conflict and the creation of a Palestinian state.
Security Council resolutions, in accordance with international laws, are legally binding.
