The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war. The vote was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining.
Quick Read
- UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza: The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution with a 12-0 vote, calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza. The U.S., U.K., and Russia abstained. The resolution’s language was softened from a “demand” to a “call” for humanitarian pauses and avoided mentioning a ceasefire or Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel. Although U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, they are often ignored in practice.
- Russia’s Proposed Amendment Rejected: Russia’s amendment to the resolution, which aimed for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a ceasefire, was rejected by a 5-1 vote with nine abstentions, as it didn’t receive the required minimum of nine “yes” votes.
- Over 600 People Leave Gaza Through Rafah Border Crossing: According to Hamas spokesperson Wael Abou Omar, 644 people crossed from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. This group included dual nationals, injured or sick individuals, and their companions.
- Israel Releases Video of Weapons Allegedly Found in Shifa Hospital: The Israeli military released a video purporting to show Hamas weapons and military equipment found in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital. The search did not reveal tunnels or a command center as previously claimed by Israel. The authenticity of these claims has not been independently verified.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in Gaza
The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.
The vote was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining.
The final draft watered down its language from a “demand” to a “call” for humanitarian pauses. It also watered down a demand for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.” And the resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire or Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.
U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding — including calls — but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council’s requests for actions.
Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a cease-fire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes.
OVER 600 PEOPLE LEFT GAZA AT RAFAH BORDER CROSSING, HAMAS SAYS
RAFAH, GAZA STRIP — A total of 644 people traveled through the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Wednesday, said Wael Abou Omar, the Hamas spokesperson for the border crossing.
Those included 587 dual nationals, 37 people either injured or sick, and 20 of their companions. No more information was immediately available.
Earlier at the Rafah border, dozens of evacuees were waiting patiently with their documentation ready for inspection. Among them was Toqa al-Zaian, a Palestinian with Norwegian nationality, struggling to say goodbye.
“I feel like my body is leaving without my soul, now I am leaving everything behind, my mother, family and everyone I know,” she said.
ISRAEL RELEASES VIDEO OF WEAPONS IT SAYS WERE FOUND IN SHIFA HOSPITAL
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military displayed what it says are Hamas weapons and military equipment it uncovered in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital.
But so far, its search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command center that it has said Hamas maintains on the grounds of the hospital. Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa.
The army early Wednesday raided the hospital, Gaza’s largest. After a daylong search, the army released a video showing several AK-47 automatic rifles, ammunition, grenades, protective vests and other equipment used by Hamas. It said many of the items were in duffel bags in the hospital’s MRI department.
“These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said in the military’s video.
The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.
