The United Nations (UN) Security Council approved this Wednesday a resolution that urgently calls for expanding “humanitarian pauses and corridors” throughout the Gaza Strip.
The resolution, drafted by Malta, received 12 votes in favor and three abstentions: the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia.
The resolution has a strong humanitarian angle, with special emphasis on the situation of children in Gaza.
Despite being led by Malta, this draft resolution was the result of the work of the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, who decided to act in light of the vetoes presented by the permanent members to the four previous drafts that were voted on and ended up being rejected.
A point of contention throughout the negotiations was the language surrounding a “ceasefire”, “humanitarian pauses” or “truces”, with Russia positioning itself in favor of calling for a ceasefire and the United States opposing any proposal for a ceasefire. this type.
The now-passed resolution “calls for broad and urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors for a sufficient number of days” to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
The text, which emphasizes the situation of children in almost every paragraph, “demands that all parties respect their obligations under international law, especially with regard to the protection of civilians, in particular children.”
It also “calls” for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children.”
Immediately before the vote, Russia proposed an amendment calling for “humanitarian truces” in Gaza, but the United States – one of the five permanent members of the Council – voted against it.
Source: TSF
