UN Security Council: Gaza Humanitarian Crisis and Aid Blockade

Urgent Call for Aid Access in Gaza

• 🇬🇧 The UK, Denmark, France, Greece, and Slovenia convened an urgent Security Council meeting to address the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza.
• hostages were released, and a call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas was reiterated.
• ❌ The council strongly opposes Israel's blockade of aid into Gaza, which has been in place for over two months, calling it an unacceptable pressure lever.
• 🚫 Plans to expand military operations in Gaza and any attempt by Israel to annex Palestinian territory are also opposed, as they would increase suffering and violate international law.

Famine Risk and Aid Principles

• 🍲 The World Food Program has reported a complete lack of food, leading to starvation risks for Palestinian civilians, including children.
• ⚠️ A recent IPC report warns that Gaza's entire population is at critical risk of famine, with more deaths preventable if the aid block is lifted.
• ⚖️ Humanitarian aid must not be used as a political or military tool; international law requires Israel to ensure the safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and basic services.
• 🇺🇳 Concerns were raised about a proposed new aid delivery mechanism that the UN believes would not adhere to humanitarian principles, emphasizing the need for aid distribution models to be independent, impartial, and neutral.

Protection of Aid Workers and Path to Peace

• 💔 Outrage was expressed over the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and a strike on a UN compound, highlighting that humanitarian aid workers and UN premises must be protected.
• 🔍 Israel is urged to transparently investigate incidents, hold those responsible accountable, and reinstate an effective deconfliction system, noting that at least 418 aid workers have been killed.
• 🕊️ The only sustainable solution to end the suffering for both Palestinians and Israelis is an immediate return to a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and advancing efforts towards a two-state solution.
• 🤝 The leadership of France and Saudi Arabia in chairing an international conference on the two-state solution was welcomed.