On December 22, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) took a significant step by adopting Resolution 2720 during an emergency meeting addressing the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This resolution aims to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, a region grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis.
Resolution 2720 mandates all parties involved in the conflict to facilitate the direct distribution of large-scale humanitarian supplies to Palestinian civilians throughout Gaza. Additionally, it calls for the establishment of a UN coordinator in the Gaza Strip and the implementation of relevant United Nations working mechanisms. The resolution emphasizes the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and ensures humanitarian access to meet their medical needs. Furthermore, it reaffirms the two-state solution concept and underscores the necessity of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
The adoption of Resolution 2720 elicited varied responses from UNSC member states. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed deep regret, describing the situation as "a tragic moment for the Council," following the veto of Russia's amendment for an immediate ceasefire by the United States. On the other hand, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, praised the resolution's stance on hostages and humanitarian access but voiced disappointment over the inability to condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7.
China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dai Bing, welcomed the resolution and urged Israel to cease indiscriminate military actions and the collective punishment of Gaza's population. He emphasized Israel's responsibility to protect the humanitarian needs of Gaza's residents. Conversely, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative, Brett Jonathan Miller, highlighted the importance of prioritizing the hostage issue while maintaining that Israel's security inspections of aid would remain unchanged.
Palestine's Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, viewed the resolution as a positive step forward, advocating for its implementation alongside significant pressure for an immediate ceasefire. Resolution 2720 marks only the second resolution passed by the UNSC since the conflict escalated on October 7, after several previous drafts failed to secure approval.
The diverse reactions to Resolution 2720 reflect the deep divisions within the UNSC regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Nevertheless, the resolution signifies a commitment to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with increased aid deliveries expected, albeit under strict inspections and distribution monitoring by Israel.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
