UN Security Council demands aid be rushed into Gaza ‘at scale’ as WHO head warns of looming famine
Members of the UN’s top peacemaking council demanded immediate, safe and unhindered deliveries of life-saving aid to Gaza as the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of an imminent famine in the besieged Palestinian territory. The demand comes amid ongoing Israeli bombings in Gaza, prompting concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis. The UN Security Council, pressed by Washington, refrained from calling for a ceasefire but emphasized the urgency of delivering aid to the region.
Israel has vowed to continue its offensive until Hamas is eliminated and the estimated 129 hostages held in Gaza are freed. Israel’s military has been engaged in street-to-street fighting with Hamas gunmen in Gaza City, while Gaza’s health ministry reported over 410 deaths in Israeli bombardments over the past 48 hours.
As the conflict escalates, the situation in Gaza worsens, with large parts of the region reduced to rubble. The majority of Gazans are now struggling to find food, fuel, water, and medical supplies. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed grave concern, warning of hunger and an impending famine in Gaza. Displaced people are going without food for days, adding to the dire state of affairs.
The UN estimates that nearly two million Gazans have been displaced, accounting for nearly 80% of the population. Efforts to establish a truce during the Christmas season are ongoing, with negotiations facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. A temporary truce earlier this month resulted in the release of 105 hostages, but the situation remains critical.
Yesterday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution after days of negotiations, demanding increased humanitarian access to Gaza. The resolution places pressure on Israel to allow greater aid delivery and gives the UN a more prominent role in coordinating aid distribution. However, it remains unclear what impact the resolution will have on the ground.
Israel’s foreign minister maintained that the country would continue to control the flow of aid into Gaza for security reasons, despite the resolution. Meanwhile, Hamas described the resolution as insufficient and failing to address the catastrophic situation caused by Israeli military actions.
To date, aid trucks entering Gaza fall far below the average prior to the conflict. While Israel has allowed aid to be delivered via the Kerem Shalom crossing, the process is slow. Despite these challenges, aid drivers express their dedication to helping the people of Gaza, showcasing solidarity amid the ongoing crisis.
In addition to the immediate conflict, the situation in the region has wider implications. Flashpoints have emerged in the West Bank, the Israel-Lebanese border, Iraq, Syria, and the sea off Yemen. Iranian-backed groups have threatened to escalate the conflict beyond Gaza, triggering concerns about the potential for further violence and disruptions.
The current conflict began when Hamas gunmen breached Gaza’s militarized border and killed approximately 1,140 people in Israel. In response, Israel launched a relentless bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, resulting in a high death toll. The majority of those killed are women and children, according to Hamas officials.
The international community continues to call for an urgent resolution to the crisis and a halt to the escalating violence. The immediate focus is on delivering crucial aid to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the population. As talks persist, it remains critical to address the root causes and complexities of the conflict to achieve a long-lasting and sustainable peace.
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