UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council has expressed deep concern over the tragic incident that unfolded in Gaza on Thursday when more than 100 Palestinians lost their lives, and several hundred sustained injuries as Israeli troops ope­ned fire on a food convoy.

The incident occurred at a large gathering surrounding a humanitarian assistance convoy southwest of Gaza City, with Israeli forces supervising the process.

A UNSC statement on Saturday evening called on “all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population of the Gaza Strip of basic services and humanitarian assistance” and to urgently increase aid deliveries to the war-torn territory.

An earlier statement, which explicitly blamed the Israeli military for the disaster, was blocked by the US and replaced with softer language. A Russian attempt to insert text calling for a ceasefire was also denied.

In its latest statement, the council underscored the imperative to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, emphasising the obligation of all parties involved to comply with international law.

While acknowledging that Israel has initiated an investigation into the matter, the Security Council called for transparency and accountability in the process. The statement concluded by urging Israel “to keep the crossings open to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, to facilitate the opening of additional crossings to meet large-scale humanitarian needs, and to support the rapid and safe delivery of relief items to the population throughout the Gaza Strip.”

During the earlier session, Arab nations encountered significant resistance from the US as they sought support for the statement, accusing Israeli forces of intentionally targeting and killing Gazans.

The US Deputy Envoy to the UN, Robert Wood, emphasised the lack of complete information on the ground as a major challenge. “We don’t have all the facts on the ground. That’s the problem,” Wood stated following consultations with the 15-member council.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority’s envoy to the UN, revealed that 14 members supported the statement drafted by Algeria. In the aftermath, Mansour held discussions with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urging the Security Council to condemn the killings and pursue those responsible for the alleged massacre.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...