In a surprising turn of events, the United Nations Security Council has finally passed a resolution emphasizing the urgent need for safe and unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza. While the resolution did not call for a cessation of hostilities as originally drafted, it marked an important step towards providing much-needed aid to the people of Gaza.
After days of intensive negotiations and multiple delays, this revised resolution was able to secure the required support and avoid a potential veto by the United States. Although the U.S. abstained from voting, allowing the resolution to pass, it was clear that the original draft had undergone substantial amendments.
The resolution now focuses on the implementation of extended humanitarian pauses and the establishment of corridors to facilitate the entry of aid into Gaza. To oversee this process, a senior United Nations official has been appointed to coordinate the aid distribution efforts.
While some parties criticized the revised resolution for not addressing the underlying causes of the conflict or seeking to eliminate Hamas, there is an overwhelming consensus on the urgent need to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to the UN World Food Program, approximately half of the population in Gaza is experiencing extreme or severe hunger.
In a separate analysis, it was found that Israel had deployed numerous massive 2,000-pound bombs during the first month of the war, causing significant destruction. These bombs, four times heavier than the largest ones used against ISIS in Mosul by the United States, have contributed to the high civilian death toll in Gaza.
Satellite imagery, analyzed using artificial intelligence, revealed over 500 craters with a diameter of more than 40 feet, consistent with the impact caused by these massive bombs. Their usage in densely populated areas like Gaza, where a single bomb can have a radius of nearly 1,200 feet, has resulted in the inevitable loss of civilian lives.
The Israeli military maintains that its actions are aimed at dismantling Hamas's capabilities and asserts that it adheres to international law while taking feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians.
As the Security Council resolution emphasizes humanitarian aid, it offers a glimmer of hope for the people of Gaza, who are suffering from the destruction of infrastructure, limited access to basic necessities, and alarming levels of food insecurity. The international community remains committed to providing vital assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring some relief to the people of Gaza.
