UN Okays Gaza Resolution On Aid Deliveries

The UN Security Council has adopted a watered-down resolution calling for immediately speeding aid deliveries to hungry and desperate civilians in Gaza but without the original plea for an “urgent suspension of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas, Edith M. Lederer reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The long-delayed vote in the 15-member council was 13-0 with the US and Russia abstaining. I Photo: Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages Wikimedia Commons

The long-delayed vote in the 15-member council was 13-0 with the US and Russia abstaining. The US abstention avoided a third American veto of a Gaza resolution following Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks inside Israel.

Russia wanted the stronger language restored.

Still, “It was the Christmas miracle we were all hoping for,” said United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, who sponsored the resolution. She said it would send a signal to the people in Gaza that the Security Council was working to alleviate their suffering, Josef Federman also reported for AP.

The vote, initially scheduled for Monday, was pushed back each day until Friday. A relieved US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council: “This was tough, but we got there.”

She said the vote bolsters efforts “to alleviate this humanitarian crisis, to get life-saving assistance into Gaza and to get hostages out of Gaza, to push for the protection of innocent civilians and humanitarian workers, and to work towards a lasting peace.” 

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the resolution “entirely toothless” and accused the US of “shameful, cynical and irresponsible conduct” and resorting to tactics “of gross pressure, blackmail and twisting arms.”

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