UN Security Council supports increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza while not calling for an immediate end to hostilities

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has passed a resolution calling for increased aid to be sent to the Gaza Strip, but it did not include a demand for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The resolution was approved after negotiations were held to avoid a veto by the US, which is a permanent member of the UNSC and a strong ally of Israel. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the main obstacle to delivering aid was Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza. The UN has warned that if the conflict continues, Gaza is at risk of famine. Israel launched a large military campaign to eradicate Hamas after an attack in October that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in southern Israel and the hostage-taking of more than 240. Since then, at least 20,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry run by Hamas. The resolution, introduced by the United Arab Emirates, called for creating conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. It also demanded the immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza and set out the appointment of a coordinator to oversee the distribution of aid. Hamas criticized the resolution as insufficient to meet the humanitarian needs of people in Gaza. The Israeli Defence Forces spokesman called on the international community and international organizations to enforce the resolution, which also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Fighting between Israel and Hamas continued while the UNSC was voting, with Israel expanding its ground offensive in central Gaza. A UN food security agency found that a quarter of households, around 500,000 people, are facing catastrophic conditions, and the entirety of Gaza's population is suffering from acute food shortages. The World Food Programme estimated that only 10% of the needed food is currently reaching the territory. Talks have been held in Egypt to secure a new truce, similar to the week-long pause in fighting last month that resulted in the release of 110 hostages. However, Hamas has rejected the release of more hostages until Israel agrees to end the war. Israel has consistently rejected a permanent ceasefire. After the vote, the UK's Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that a sustainable ceasefire must mean that Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israel.