World

UN agrees resolution to speed up Gaza aid – but omits ceasefire call

The UN Security Council has voted for a resolution to speed up aid to Gaza – but left out a call for an “urgent suspension of hostilities”.

It instead includes a commitment to “create conditions for the sustainable cessation of hostilities” between Hamas and Israel.

Thirteen members voted in favour, while the US and Russia abstained.

The vote happened after America vetoed a Russian amendment to restore the call for a suspension of hostilities.

It came after days of negotiations involving the US, Western allies and the United Arab Emirates.

The vote was thrown into limbo on Thursday after the US voiced “widespread concerns” with the draft.

It was concerned the resolution could actually slow down aid by creating an “unworkable monitoring mechanism”.

Israel – which is not part of the Security Council – had also insisted on maintaining the lead on inspecting aid going into Gaza.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also raised concerns that the resolution didn’t condemn Hamas’s terror attack on Israel in October.

It was the killing of more than 1,200 people that sparked the current conflict.

Earlier this month, America vetoed another resolution – backed by almost all other council members – demanding an immediate ceasefire.

The US said it would only plant the seed for a future war between Israel and Hamas.

This time, however, the Security Council crucially manged to avoid a veto from Israel’s biggest ally.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, has warned Gaza faces “humanitarian catastrophe” and “a complete breakdown of public order”.