The UN Security Council calls for days-long humanitarian pauses in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for immediate and urgent days-long humanitarian pauses in the war between Israel and Hamas so that much-needed aid can reach civilians in Gaza.
The Malta resolution was adopted after weeks of division and inaction over the war between Israel and Gaza. It did not call for a ceasefire, and it did not specify the number of days for a humanitarian pause, but instead called for “a sufficient number of days” for “full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.” ”
The resolution is legally binding and calls on all parties to comply with international conflict laws that require the protection of civilians, especially children. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas.
The resolution was adopted by twelve votes, with the remaining three members – the United States, Great Britain and Russia – abstaining.
Four previous resolutions had failed. Diplomats said Malta’s resolution was a compromise aimed at reaching consensus on language that focused heavily on humanitarian issues, with an emphasis on the plight of children.
Before Wednesday’s vote, Russia asked for an amendment to the resolution that would demand a ceasefire. The majority of Security Council member states voted in favor of a resolution on October 26 calling for an immediate ceasefire. The proposal was not adopted because it did not receive the required nine votes. The US was the only member to vote against a ceasefire.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said the adoption of the resolution on Wednesday showed the council could still work together. She said the United States cannot vote for a resolution that does not condemn Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel and states that countries have the right to defend themselves. But she said the United States supported many of the resolution’s provisions, such as the release of hostages and humanitarian breaks.
“Much more help is urgently needed. Current levels are woefully inadequate,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield said. “We are hopeful that humanitarian pauses will help the UN and humanitarian partners deliver assistance and allow the safe passage of civilians fleeing violence.”
The Council has held emergency meetings every week since the October 7 attack, but has taken no concrete action. Four previous resolutions on the war were not adopted due to divisions among the five members with veto power.
The United States vetoed a Brazilian resolution calling for humanitarian aid and access because it did not say Israel has the right to defend itself. Russia and China vetoed a US resolution because it did not call for a ceasefire. The two Russian resolutions did not receive the nine votes needed to be adopted.
In the resolution adopted on Wednesday, neither the United States nor Russia got the language they wanted. In response to pressure on the Council to take action, they both abstained rather than veto the resolution.
“Humanitarian pauses cannot be a substitute for a ceasefire or even a ceasefire,” Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said. He criticized the resolution as weak and hollow because after a pause “the military operation will resume with greater force,” causing more casualties and destruction.
As the war overwhelmed hospitals, patients and displaced people, the Council was accused of being indifferent to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Israeli army’s raid on Tuesday on Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, drew condemnation from senior UN officials and diplomats, and calls for the Council to take action.
Before the Council vote on Wednesday, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called the Security Council’s silence – as incubators for babies in Gaza were left without power – “barbarism” in a post on Platform X. “We condemn the silence about this brutality. It provides coverage for war crimes. It is unacceptable, unjustifiable. The Council must act.”