UN Security Council Demands Immediate Humanitarian Aid Delivery in Gaza

The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and a sustainable cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip and calling for conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Resolution Details

The 15-nation Council voted on Friday, after days of delays, on a draft resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates. The resolution was adopted after 13 members voted in favor, none against, while the US and Russia abstained.

The resolution demands that parties to the conflict "allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip, and in this regard calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."

The resolution also demands that the parties to the conflict allow and facilitate the use of all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings.

Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator

With an aim to expedite the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, the Council also requested Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to "expeditiously" appoint a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator to facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify "the humanitarian nature of all humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza."

Russian Amendment Vetoed

An amendment to the UAE-tabled resolution proposed by Russia was not approved after permanent member the US cast a veto.

The adoption of the resolution reflects the international community's concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its call for an end to the ongoing conflict.