The UN approves a resolution for aid in Gaza, but not for a ceasefire

2023-12-22 21:07:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The UN approves a resolution for aid in Gaza, but not for a ceasefire

Illustrative photo

The United Nations Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and called for urgent steps "to create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities."

The vote was delayed for several hours, due to intense negotiations to avoid the United States' veto.

As a result of growing global outrage over the increasing number of civilian casualties in the 11-week war between Israel and Hamas, and following the marked worsening of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, the United States abstained from voting, to enable the Council of 15 member countries to approve the resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates. All member countries voted to approve the resolution, except Russia, which also abstained.

After high-level negotiations to gain Washington's support, the resolution does not address the issue of controlling aid entering Gaza by Israel.

Israel monitors the entry of all aid into Gaza, through the border point with Egypt, Rafah, and at the point controlled by the Israelis themselves, Kerem Shalom.

But the weakening of the language for a cessation of hostilities has angered member countries - including Russia - and representatives of some Arab countries have said that this is a kind of approval for Israel to continue attacking Hamas.

Hamas, the Palestinian group that rules Gaza, has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The group has fueled Israel's war, after the attacks it carried out on the land of this state on October 7, leaving around 1,200 people dead and taking 240 others hostage.

The United States and Israel are against reaching a cease-fire in Gaza, on the grounds that only Hamas benefits from this measure.

However, Washington supports humanitarian pauses for the protection of civilians and the release of hostages taken by Hamas. According to the Palestinian health authorities, as a result of the Israeli attacks, about 20,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza - most of them women and children./ Rel