UN Security Council adopts resolution on aid to Gaza

(Patria) - The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on aid to Gaza at today's session with 13 votes in favour. Two countries abstained - the USA and Russia.

The 15-member Council agreed on a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the US, which has veto power, secured changes it desired in the resolution. The amended resolution no longer dilutes Israel's control over all aid deliveries to the 2.3 million people in Gaza.

The resolution calls for the immediate release of hostages and humanitarian access to address their medical needs, as well as for the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the use of all routes to the Gaza Strip for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Current efforts to cease hostilities are clearly not working, as 136 UN workers have lost their lives. Therefore, the text reaffirms that UN humanitarian personnel premises and shipments are protected and must not be attacked.

The resolution tasks the Secretary-General with appointing a senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Their mandate will be to monitor, verify, and facilitate humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and the resolution gives them the necessary resources and equipment. The coordinator will establish a mechanism to accelerate aid delivery, and their initial report on their work is expected within 20 days.