United States: The United Nations Security Council has adopted resolution 2720, penned by the UAE. The resolution demands substantive, concrete steps to increase the flow of life-saving humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip while protecting the UN and humanitarian staff on the ground who deliver it.
The resolution calls for the appointment of a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator by the UN Secretary-General, who will oversee and confirm that all supplies delivered to the Gaza Strip are of a humanitarian nature.
The Senior Coordinator will work with all parties to the conflict to ensure they can carry out their mandate without obstruction. The Coordinator will also be in charge of creating a UN-led aid mechanism that will expedite and streamline aid delivery to the Gaza Strip. The UN now has full support from the Security Council and can respond more forcefully, as per the statement.
The resolution demands immediate action to enable safe, unimpeded, and increased humanitarian access, as well as a long-term end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
“The world has seen the suffering in Gaza and is desperately trying to come to its aid. This resolution will help make that happen at the scale that is needed,” said Ms. Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN.
“Today’s resolution is an important step on the long road ahead. It is vital that the UN Security Council lives up to its responsibility by ensuring its full implementation,” Ms. Nusseibeh added.
The resolution demands that parties to the conflict facilitate the use of all available routes to and throughout the Gaza Strip.
It demands that parties to the conflict ensure the safety and security of both UN personnel and humanitarian personnel.