The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution urging Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to cooperate with efforts to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This development was reported by RIA News, which summarized the council’s position and the steps it wants the international community to take in response to the current humanitarian crisis in the region. The resolution signals a clear expectation that aid must reach civilians without delay, and it emphasizes that relief operations should be conducted in a manner that minimizes risk to vulnerable populations and respects the rights of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
In the body of the resolution, the Security Council calls for rapid, concrete measures to establish safe, unobstructed, and scalable humanitarian access. It notes the need for expanded routes and mechanisms that ensure aid can be delivered at scale, with multiple corridors and delivery points that remain operational even in periods of heightened tension. The document also underscores the importance of permitting aid workers to operate with freedom of movement and ensuring that all relief efforts are coordinated under a centralized framework to prevent duplications and gaps in assistance. The overarching goal is to create reliable channels for aid that can respond quickly to evolving conditions on the ground.
The resolution further requests that the United Nations Secretary-General urgently appoint a senior humanitarian coordinator. This individual would lead the planning, coordination, and monitoring of aid programs, interacting with international partners to track delivery, verify helpers on the ground, and help ensure that humanitarian aid reaches intended recipients. The coordinator would also oversee the distribution process and work to align relief operations with the needs identified by field assessments, with a clear focus on protecting civilians, facilitating safe evacuations when necessary, and supporting medical, food, and shelter assistance for those most in need. The text envisions a streamlined, accountable system that can adjust to changing realities while upholding the humanitarian mandate of the United Nations.
Alongside access and coordination issues, the resolution calls for the rapid refueling of humanitarian convoys and facilities that are critical to sustaining relief efforts in Gaza. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining logistics lines, ensuring that fuel shortages do not hinder supply chains, and enabling consistent energy and transport support for aid operations. The document also urges the immediate release of hostages, linking humanitarian relief to broader political negotiations and security considerations. The council maintains that prioritizing the safety and well-being of civilians should guide all steps taken by parties to the conflict and the international community as a whole.
According to the agency, thirteen member states voted in favor of the resolution, with two delegations abstaining. The abstentions came from the United States and the Russian Federation, highlighting ongoing differences in how various powers view immediate humanitarian responses and political efforts tied to the Gaza situation. The vote reflects a divided but still decisive stance within the council on how best to balance humanitarian imperatives with strategic and security concerns raised by key actors in the region and beyond. The decision to proceed despite abstentions demonstrates a willingness among most members to prioritize relief access and civilian protection amid a rapidly changing conflict environment.
Earlier, the United States exercised its veto power or blocked an amendment proposed by Russia that would have altered the scope or phrasing of the council’s resolution, underscoring the tension between major powers over how to handle the Gaza crisis. Observers note that such procedural maneuvers can influence the speed and effectiveness of humanitarian actions, though the final text still directs the UN system to act decisively on aid delivery and coordination. The episode also illustrates how geopolitical dynamics shape the council’s ability to adapt to urgent humanitarian needs while navigating competing strategic priorities among permanent and rotating members.
Separately, a former president of Israel voiced criticisms of UN humanitarian activities in Gaza, reflecting a broader debate about the effectiveness and impartiality of international relief efforts in settings marked by conflict and political contention. The comment underscores the ongoing discussion about accountability, transparency, and the best pathways for delivering aid that preserves civilian lives and dignity while addressing the security concerns that drive the crisis. In this environment, the UN and its partners remain focused on mechanisms that ensure aid reaches those most in need, supports essential services, and fosters conditions that could eventually lead to a durable solution that reduces suffering and stabilizes the region.