U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL PASSES ALTERED RESOLUTION ON GAZA AID

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The U.N. Security Council has passed a revised resolution focusing on accelerating aid delivery to the starving and desperate civilians in Gaza.

EXPLANATION:

  • However, notably absent from the resolution was the initial call for an “urgent suspension of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas.

Vote and U.S. Role

  • The vote, delayed for an extended period, resulted in a 13-0 approval with both the United States and Russia abstaining.
  • Prior to this, the United States vetoed a Russian amendment aiming to reinstate the call for an immediate hostilities suspension.
  • The resolution’s passage marked the avoidance of a second U.S. veto for a Gaza-focused resolution following Hamas’ unexpected attacks in Israel in October.

Reactions and Disagreements

  • While the U.S. Ambassador expressed relief at the resolution’s adoption, Russia criticized the outcome, calling it “entirely toothless.”
  • Russia accused the United States of employing unacceptable tactics to avoid a veto.
  • The proposed Russian amendment sought to reinstate the call for a hostilities suspension, emphasizing concerns about Israel’s unimpeded military actions in Gaza.

Resolution Highlights

  • The final resolution, despite undergoing late modifications, emphasizes the urgent need for accelerated, unimpeded humanitarian access and creating conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
  • However, it lacks the specific provision urging an immediate suspension of hostilities.
  • Notably, the resolution removed a previous request for exclusive U.N. monitoring of all humanitarian aid routes, replacing it with a directive for a senior humanitarian coordinator to oversee non-party relief deliveries.

Humanitarian Crisis and Concerns

  • The situation in Gaza is dire, with a reported food crisis affecting the entire population of 2.2 million, with over 570,000 people at the “catastrophic” starvation level.
  • The U.N. Secretary-General has highlighted the looming humanitarian catastrophe and warned of potential mass displacement into Egypt if the humanitarian support system collapses.

Casualties

  • The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of Palestinians killed, though the number is contested.
  • The recent Oct. 7 attack by Hamas inside Israel led to casualties and hostages taken back to Gaza, escalating tensions and complicating resolution efforts.

Resolution Legality and Global Response

  • Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but adherence varies among involved parties.
  • The resolution’s altered language and absence of specific directives on hostilities suspension might impact its effectiveness in mitigating the crisis.

Conclusion

  • The adopted resolution, despite omitting the original call for immediate hostilities cessation, emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid and coordination.
  • The altered language, notably the absence of specific directives on hostilities suspension, highlights the challenges in reaching a comprehensive resolution to the ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

SOURCE: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/un-approves-watered-down-resolution-on-aid-to-gaza-without-call-for-suspension-of-hostilities/article67667437.ece

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