International organizations have voiced disapproval over the U.N. Security Council’s recent resolution concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, labeling it as ‘watered-down.’
The resolution, which focused on increased humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, refrained from explicitly calling for an immediate ceasefire, triggering global criticism.
A Russian-proposed amendment, introducing ceasefire language, was vetoed by the United States.
Following days of deliberation and debates, the final version emphasized the necessity for parties involved to permit safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access to Gaza.
It also urged the creation of conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
The resolution received 13 votes in favor at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, with the U.S. and Russia abstaining. Earlier in the month, the U.S. had cast the sole veto against a resolution advocating for a ceasefire.
Despite the resolution’s passage, the U.N. and humanitarian groups assisting over two million people in Gaza, grappling with a “hunger crisis,” expressed skepticism about its efficacy without an immediate and sustained ceasefire.
Shockingly, within less than three months, reports indicate that 20,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, according to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
Avril Benoît, the executive director of MSF (Doctors without Borders) USA, decried the resolution’s diluted impact, stating, “This resolution has been watered down to the point that its impact on the lives of civilians in Gaza will be nearly meaningless.”
In a press briefing, Guterres emphasized that the only way to halt the “ongoing nightmare” in Gaza was through a humanitarian ceasefire.
He criticized Israel’s control over aid into the territory, highlighting the inadequate security measures hindering humanitarian aid distribution.
The International Rescue Committee deemed the failure to call for a ceasefire as “unjustifiable,” while some groups specifically singled out the U.S. Oxfam’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Sally Abi-Khalil, criticized the U.S.’s removal of calls for suspending hostilities, stating it highlighted the nation’s detachment from the global consensus.
Amnesty International accused the U.S. of leveraging its veto threat to stall and weaken the resolution, labeling the move as “disgraceful.” During the meeting, Russia’s ambassador to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, criticized the U.S.’s conduct, alleging “shameful, cynical, and irresponsible” behavior.
Guterres highlighted the lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza, with over half a million people facing starvation, insufficient clean water, and barely functioning hospitals. He described the situation as unparalleled, with even humanitarian veterans expressing shock at the conditions in Gaza.
