The Security Council has adopted a resolution on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with 13 votes in favour, and the US and Russia abstaining. The resolution, among others demands immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.
French Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Nathalie Braodhurst, said that the resolution calls for urgent measures to be taken to create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities.
“We would have preferred the Council to speak more ambitiously on this subject,” she said, noting that on Thursday, the President of France recalled the crucial importance of immediately working towards a ceasefire which alone will allow the reopening of an essential political horizon.
She underscored the importance of international humanitarian law, and said that it must be applied in all circumstances, as well as guarantee complete protection and access for humanitarian and medical personnel.
This Council must also condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, including the sexual violence they used to dehumanize and terrorize their victims, the French Ambassador said.
“It is incomprehensible that this Council has still not been able to do so. It should do so, it must do so, law and morality require it,” she stressed.
Dai Bing, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of China, said his country welcomed the adoption of the resolution even though the adjustments do not meet our expectations.
Given the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the resolution offers “at least a glimmer of hope” for more and faster delivery of aid to the enclave, he said, adding “whether this glimmer of hope can be truly felt by the people of Gaza in the midst of this disaster also depends on whether the resolution can be effectively implemented.”
We expect action to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza, including by the full use of Karem Shalom and the opening of other crossing points, the Ambassador said, while urging Israel to stop its collective punishment of the population of Gaza and insisting that realization of a cease fire remains the overriding goal.
This the reason why China voted for the Russian amendment, he added and expressed regret that it failed due to a veto.
Barbara Woodward, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom (UK), recalled her country’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the enclave.
She said the UK supported the resolution and that it will streamline aid checks so that humanitarian response can be massively scaled up. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages as well as for steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are clear that the resolution is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law,” she said, noting that the adoption is an important signal of the Security Council’s commitment.
“Our actions today and in the future must help ensure that the horror of the 7 October never happens again, we unequivocally condemn Hamas’ acts of terror and support Israel’s right to self defence,” Ambassador Woodward said.
“Ultimately, we support the two-State solution that guarantees true security and stability for both Israeli and Palestinian people,” she stated.
