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Photo: Portal
After 40 days of conflict between Israel and Hamas and four vetoed texts, the United Nations (UN) Security Council finally adopted a proposed resolution “urgent and extended” humanitarian breaks in the Gaza Strip, after the vote on the afternoon of this Wednesday, March 15th.
The text, which this time did not receive a veto from the United States, approved a request for breaks and urgent humanitarian corridors throughout the Gaza Strip. The United States, Russia and the United Kingdom, which have veto power in the Council, abstained from the vote. The remaining 12 members voted in favor.
However, Israel rejected the resolution, claiming that there will be no respite while Hamas holds hostages. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, said in a statement that the Security Council resolution was “disconnected from reality.” For him, it is “regrettable that the Council continues to ignore the massacre committed by Hamas on October 7 and refuses to condemn or even mention it.”
According to Erdan, Hamas’ strategy is to deliberately worsen the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and increase the number of Palestinian victims in order to pressure the UN and Security Council to detain Israel. This won’t happen. Israel will continue to act until then. “Hamas will be destroyed and the hostages will be returned,” Erdan said.
Since Israel’s offensive in Gaza began, more than 11,000 Palestinians have died, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and 27,000 have been injured. On the Israeli side, the death toll has remained virtually unchanged since the Hamas attacks on October 7, with 1,200 dead and 5,600 injured, as well as 200 kidnapped hostages;
More than 1.5 million Palestinians have been forced from their homes; It is estimated that 45% of houses in Gaza were completely or partially destroyed; The Gaza Strip lacks drinking water, electricity, food and medicine.
Fifth attempt
This was the council’s fifth attempt to take action since Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza, by attacking the enclave of 2.3 million people from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground invasion.
The Security Council attempted to act four times in two weeks in October: Russia twice failed to obtain the required minimum votes, the United States vetoed a draft resolution from Brazil, and Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution from the United States.
The resolution drafted by Malta “calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to (…) enable full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”
The text calls for compliance with international law, in particular the protection of the civilian population, especially children. He also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children. The draft does not condemn Hamas’ actions, a point of contention for Israel’s ally, the United States.
The text calls on all parties not to deny the civilian population in Gaza the basic services and humanitarian assistance necessary for their survival, welcomes the initial and limited aid deliveries and calls for their expansion.
With information from Portal and Haaretz.
Source: Redação Terra