War between Israel and Hamas: UN Security Council resolution criticized as insufficient
The UN Security Council solution on Gaza, which was adopted on Friday after several delays and weakened language, was met with criticism and dismay by aid groups working in Gaza, who called the agreement “woefully inadequate” and “almost pointless” in alleviating the immense human suffering in the area.
The compromise resolution, negotiated to avoid a veto by the United States, did not call for a ceasefire, but only recommended that steps be taken “to create the conditions for a lasting cessation of the hostilities.”
Humanitarian groups responded immediately by sharply criticizing the United States for not supporting calls to end the war, which Gaza authorities say has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians. The United Nations says the war has displaced nearly 1.9 million people — more than 85 percent of the population — who are at risk of both famine and the rampant spread of infectious diseases.
Doctors Without Borders, which employs doctors and other staff in Gaza’s crumbling health care system, said the resolution “painfully falls short” of what is needed.
“This resolution has been watered down to the point where its impact on the lives of civilians in Gaza will be virtually meaningless,” said Avril Benoît, the group’s executive director in the United States. in a statement.
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard said in a statement that it was “disgraceful” that the United States had watered down the language of the resolution. While the resolution was necessary, she said, it was “woefully insufficient in light of the ongoing carnage and extensive destruction.”
Human Rights Watch said the United States has watered down the resolution and should ensure Israel implements the humanitarian measures it calls for. The International Rescue Committee called the failure to demand an immediate and long-term ceasefire ‘unjustified’, and Oxfam’s regional director for the Middle East, Sally Abi-Khalil, called it ‘incomprehensible and completely insensitive’.
“It is a profound dereliction of duty by an organization established to uphold the UN Charter to maintain peace and protect lives,” Ms Abi-Khalil said in a statement.
The United States vetoed a resolution that called for a ceasefire earlier in December, stating that the country agreed with Israel that halting the military offensive in Gaza would allow Hamas’ armed wing to regroup and launch attacks to feed. During intense negotiations at the Security Council this week, the United States stood with Israel and opposed a call for an “urgent suspension of hostilities.”
Ultimately, the resolution that was passed – with Washington abstaining – called for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” across Gaza for a “sufficient number of days” to allow for larger aid shipments.
“We have negotiated extensively and tried to find a language that addresses everyone’s concerns, but also addresses this challenge with a practical response,” said Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates.
The compromise pleased few, apart from those who demanded it in the United States and Israel.
Riyad H. Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the UN, regretted that it had taken 75 days for the resolution to be adopted. He said the document was a step in the right direction, but fell short. “It must be implemented and accompanied by enormous pressure for an immediate ceasefire. I repeat: an immediate ceasefire,” he said.
Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian ambassador, accused the United States of delaying a vote until the language was toned down. “Ultimately, the wording being voted on today is extremely neutralized,” he said.
At the same time, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US was disappointed and shocked that the final resolution did not condemn the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel. led to the current war.
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s UN ambassador, echoed that sentiment. That the Security Council has yet to condemn the October 7 attacks, he says, “reveals the irrelevance of the UN in relation to the war in Gaza.”
Israeli military chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari called on the international community to enforce the resolution, which includes a demand for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and access to them to meet their medical needs to provide.
In a statement, Hamas said the resolution was an “insufficient step” to address the dire situation facing people in Gaza. It criticized the United States for weakening the resolution’s language and said the Security Council had a duty to push Israel to deliver sufficient aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip.
Efrat Livni reporting contributed.