The resolution requests that the UN Secretary-General appoint a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator, who will be responsible for "facilitating, monitoring and verifying the humanitarian nature of all relief consignments to Gaza provided through states that are not party to the conflict."
The resolution also calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout Gaza for a sufficient number of days to enable humanitarian access. The document also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of fuel to Gaza at levels that will meet requisite humanitarian needs.
In addition, the resolution calls on both parties of the conflict to fully and promptly implement the reopening of the Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom border crossing for the provision of humanitarian assistance.
The resolution was adopted in a 13-0 vote, with Russia and the United States abstaining.
According to Sputnik correspondent, the US vetoed a Russian-proposed amendment to the UN Security Council draft resolution on the Gaza Strip, which called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The original version of the resolution contained a provision calling for "urgent suspension of hostilities" as well as "urgent steps toward a sustainable cessation of hostilities."
However, according to Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, the US pressured UN Security Council members, which resulted in a significantly neutered wording of the draft resolution. Russia then proposed including an amendment that called for an immediate suspension of hostilities, which the United States vetoed.
"They have resorted to their favorite tactic of gross pressure, blackmail and twisting arms so that at the last minute they'd be able to present the members of the Council with an ultimatum," Nebenzia said.
On October 7, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, breaching the border and killing and taking captives in nearby Israeli military sites and communities. The movement said its operation, Al-Aqsa Flood, was in response to Israeli provocations and occupation of Palestinian territories.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, cutting off supplies of water, food and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a large-scale ground incursion into Gaza, ostensibly to eliminate Hamas fighters and rescue hostages.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as on delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.
The escalation of the conflict has resulted in the deaths of some 1,200 people in Israel and more than 20,000, mostly children and women, in Gaza. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank.
