UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for 'extended humanitarian pauses and corridors' in Gaza

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a draft resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" throughout Gaza.

Twelve countries voted in favor of the resolution, spearheaded by Malta, while the US, UK and Russia abstained from voting.

In addition to calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days" to allow humanitarian access into Gaza, the resolution also calls for the release of all hostages, especially children, being held by Hamas and other groups.

It also demanded all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

The resolution called on all parties to “refrain from depriving the civilian population in the Gaza Strip of basic services and humanitarian assistance indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law”.

It underscores the importance of coordination, humanitarian notification, and deconfliction mechanisms, to protect all medical and humanitarian staff, vehicles, including ambulances as well as critical infrastructure, including UN facilities.

It also requests Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report orally to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution at the next mandated meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Council rejected Russia's proposal to amend the resolution to include "a durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to cessation of hostilities".

The resolution followed four failed attempts of voting at the UN Security Council regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict since Oct. 7.​​​​​​​