United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720

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UN Security Council
Resolution 2720
Date22 December 2023
Subject2023 Gaza humanitarian crisis
Voting summary
  • 13 voted for
  • None voted against
  • 2 abstained
ResultAdopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members
Non-permanent members
← 2719 Lists of resolutions 2721 →

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720, adopted on December 22, 2023, called for increased aid for the 2023 Gaza humanitarian crisis.[1] The resolution received approval from 13 members, while Russia and the United States abstained from voting.

Background

The Gaza Strip is experiencing an humanitarian crisis as a result of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[2][3] At the start of the war, Israel implemented a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies.[2][4] This siege resulted in a 90% drop in electricity availability, impacting hospital power supplies, sewage plants, and shutting down the desalination plants that provide drinking water.[5] Widespread disease outbreaks have spread across Gaza.[3]

Heavy bombardment by Israeli airstrikes caused catastrophic damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, further deepening the crisis.[6] The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 4,000 children killed in the war's first month.[7] UN Secretary General António Guterres stated Gaza had "become a graveyard for children."[a][10][11]

Procedures

The United Nations General Assembly passed (on December 12 2023) a non-binding resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire" with 153 votes for, 44 abstentions and 14 against.[12]

Resolution 2720 proposed by the U.A.E was originally scheduled to vote on Monday 18 December, however was delayed multiple times to allow for negotiations with the United States which would allow for the U.S. to not veto the resolution. It was reported that the reason for the delay was differences between the state department and the White House.[13] The United States expressed reservation with the proposition for a U.N. monitored mechanisms for aid delivery.[14]

An amendment, raised by Russia which would have reinstated the previous draft of the resolution that called for an “urgent suspension of hostilities,” garnered 10 votes for, 4 abstentions and a US veto so was not adopted.[15]

Voting Record

Approved (13) Abstained (2) Opposed (0)

Notes

  1. ^ Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan responded directly to Guterres, stating, "Shame on [Guterres]... More than 30 minors – among them a 9 month-old baby as well as toddlers and children who witnessed their parents being murdered in cold blood – are being held against their will in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is the problem in Gaza, not Israel's actions to eliminate this terrorist organization."[8][9]

References

  1. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz; Levenson, Michael (2023-12-22). "Israel-Hamas War: U.N. Security Council Passes Gaza Aid Resolution as U.S. Abstains". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  2. ^ a b Ioanes, Ellen (14 October 2023). "Gaza's spiraling humanitarian crisis, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Marsi, Federica (14 October 2023). "Gaza doctors warn of a humanitarian catastrophe after Israeli attacks". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ Gottbrath, Laurin-Whitney. "Gaza "fast becoming hell hole" on "brink of collapse" amid Israel strikes: UN". Axios. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. ^ Mellen, Ruby; Chen, Szu Yu (26 October 2023). "See how Israel's siege has plunged Gaza into darkness and isolation". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Gaza war inflicts catastrophic damage on infrastructure and economy =21 November 2023". Reuters.
  7. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (6 November 2023). "Gaza death toll tops 10,000; UN calls it a children's graveyard". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  8. ^ "UN says Gaza becoming". BBC. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  9. ^ "UN chief: Gaza has become 'graveyard for kids'; Israeli envoy calls for him to resign". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  10. ^ Nichols, Michelle. "UN chief says Gaza becoming a 'graveyard for children'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  11. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja. "The War Turns Gaza Into a 'Graveyard' for Children". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  12. ^ "UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session | UN News". news.un.org. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  13. ^ Borger, Julian (2023-12-20). "Biden administration policy differences reportedly behind delay in Gaza ceasefire vote at UN". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  14. ^ Nichols, Michelle (December 22, 2023). "UN Security Council acts to boost aid to Gaza after US abstains". Reuters.
  15. ^ "UN approves watered-down resolution on aid to Gaza without call for suspension of hostilities". AP News. 2023-12-22. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
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