On the fifth attempt, the Security Council of United Nations has finally managed to act on the conflict in Loop and this Wednesday he approved a resolution that asks Israel “urgent and prolonged humanitarian pauses”, the protection of civilians placing particular emphasis on the protection of children and calls for the establishment of corridors in the Strip “for a sufficient number of days to allow the full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access”. The text also calls on all parties to respect the humanitarian law and to the “immediate and unconditional release of the Hamas hostages.”
Up to 40 days after attacks Hamas on October 7, when 1,200 left dead and in which more than 200 hostages were taken, to which Israel has responded with a campaign of bombingssiege and land invasion in Gaza that has already left more than 11,000 dead, the Security Council has managed to unblock itself with a text prepared by Malta.
This one has seen the light with 12 votes in favornone against and abstentions of Russia, USA and United Kingdom, three of the five members with veto power who could have derailed it. The challenge now is to ensure that Israel comply and the prospects of that happening are nil.
In fact, as soon as the resolution was approved, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which they assured that “there is no room for humanitarian pauses prolonged while 239 hostages “You are still in the hands of the Hamas terrorists.”
BREAKING: UN Security Council adopts resolution proposed by Malta on the Israel-Palestine crisis:
In favor (12)
Against (0)
Abstentions (3) – Russia, UK, US pic.twitter.com/2dgoPidrXF— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 15, 2023
The text
The vote came after the Council rejected an amendment presented orally at the last minute by Russia that urged the immediate adoption of a “humanitarian truce“that would lead” to cessation of hostilities“Only five countries have supported this amendment, with nine members of the Council abstaining. USA He directly voted against.
The Malta resolution finally approved does not have specific references to the October 7 attacks, something that the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has said that it prevented Washington from voting in favor of the text. He also makes no direct references to Israel’s forceful military response. And it does not include a request for Stop the firesomething that should be agreed upon by both parties in the conflict, and that the US, Israel’s main ally, does not yet support.
It does ask that the pauses last a “sufficient number of days” to open humanitarian corridors that allow unhindered access to UN personnel, the Red Cross and other humanitarian workers to ensure the distribution of water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies as well as the essential infrastructure repair and urgent rescue operations.
The resolution also urges Secretary General of the United Nations, Antònio Guterresto keep the Council informed about the implementation of approved measures and calls on you to identify specific measures to track that compliance. And in the session after the vote, Vassily Nebenzia, the Moscow ambassadorIt has been shown skeptical that Israel will follow the UN mandate.
End of blockade
Related news
In October, two previous resolutions that urged the fire, presented by Russia, did not reach the nine votes that at least must be obtained in the 15-member body to see the light. which made it unnecessary for any of the other four members with veto power to use that right. A resolution prepared by the US urging humanitarian pauses was vetoed by Russia and China. AND The US used the veto to stop a Brazilian resolution.
The paralysis made it the general Assembly the one that adopted the issue, and in that body in which 193 nations are represented, the call for a humanitarian truce had overwhelming support on October 27, with 120 votes in favor, 14 against and 45 abstentions. The problem is that the Assembly’s resolutions are not binding and have primarily symbolic power.