Gaza resolution weakened by US, says UN Security Council

The resolution for aid deliveries to desperate Palestinian civilians in Gaza has finally been adopted by the UN Security Council. However, the vote was delayed by the US for several days, and the text was modified to remove any direct calls for a ceasefire or suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The watered-down text received support from 13 out of the 15 council members, with both Washington and Moscow abstaining. Prior to the vote, the US used its veto power to reject a Russian amendment that aimed to reintroduce the call for an immediate suspension of hostilities.

Russia expressed its willingness to support the original draft proposed by the UAE, despite considering it ineffective. However, Russia accused the US of pressuring and manipulating regional delegations to weaken the resolution.

The vote, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed as efforts were made to avoid another US veto, following previous vetoes on Gaza resolutions in October and December.

Nebenzia proceeded to accuse the United States of diluting the text in order to grant Israel unrestricted authority to continue bombarding Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and population without any limitations or restraints. The resolution that was ultimately adopted no longer included a provision for the United Nations to oversee humanitarian relief, thereby placing complete control of all aid entering Gaza in the hands of Israel.

Prior to abstaining and ultimately allowing the measure to pass, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that it is difficult to fully convey its severity. She highlighted that the resolution acknowledges the gravity of the crisis and calls upon all parties to take further action.

The Palestinian UN representative acknowledged that the resolution represents a positive step forward, despite the fact that it took the Security Council 75 days to finally include the phrase “cessation of hostilities.”