Un Security Council Passes A Resolution On The Ongoing Crisis In Gaza

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution on 22 December 2023 to accelerate humanitarian assistance to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip.

• In the Security Council, member states adopted resolution No. 2720 (2023), drafted by the United Arab Emirates.
• The resolution calls for immediate, safe, unhindered access of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in need in Gaza.

Results of voting on the proposal:

• Side: 13 votes
• Opposition: 0 votes
• Russia and the United States abstained from voting.

Important points of the proposal:

• The resolution calls for the appointment of a Senior Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction, whose responsibility is to ensure coordination and monitoring of all humanitarian aid convoys into Gaza.
• In addition, the new Coordinator will emphasise the establishment of a United Nations mechanism to accelerate the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
• The Security Council resolution urges all parties to respect their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian installations.

Gaza Strip:

• The Gaza Strip is located in the eastern Mediterranean basin, sharing borders with Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the southwest. In the west, it is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.
• It is one of the most densely populated regions globally, with over 2 million inhabitants in a small area.
• The Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas, an anti-Israel extremist organisation.

UN Security Council:

• The Security Council was established by the United Nations Charter in 1945.
• It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.
• It is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• Members – Total 15 – five permanent members and ten temporary members elected for a two-year term.
• Permanent members – United States, Russia, France, China and United Kingdom
• Currently non-permanent members – Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates
• The chairmanship of the council rotates among the 15 members every month.
• Headquarters – New York, United States
• Secretary General – Antonio Guterres