The United Nations Security Council called on Wednesday for urgent and extended humanitarian ceasefires in the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip "for a sufficient number of days" to allow for humanitarian aid access. The 15-member council resolved a deadlock it faced after four unsuccessful attempts last month to take action by adopting a resolution that also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those held by Hamas.
The United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom—countries with veto power in the council—abstained from voting on the resolution drafted by Malta, while the other members supported it. The Russian representative to the UN insisted that the Security Council should not be subject to the will of the United States. Malta's UN delegate indicated that "the draft resolution we submitted calls for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Gaza without obstacles."
This marks the fifth attempt in the council to adopt a draft resolution regarding the escalation in Gaza and Israel since October 7. The council had previously been unable to approve any of the drafts presented due to vetoes or insufficient votes.
Malta, which chairs the Security Council's Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, submitted the draft resolution.
**The Draft Resolution**
The draft calls for the establishment of urgent humanitarian ceasefires and corridors for longer periods across the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable UN humanitarian agencies and their partners to gain full, urgent, and unimpeded access to provide humanitarian assistance. It also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, particularly children, held by Hamas and other groups. The draft urges all parties to refrain from denying the civilian population in Gaza essential services and humanitarian assistance necessary for their survival.
**Israeli Foreign Ministry Response**
In response to the Security Council's call for humanitarian ceasefires, the Israeli Foreign Ministry demanded that the council prioritize efforts to secure the release of abducted individuals, stating that there is no time for ceasefires.
