1:02 PM
Unblocks live saving aid: UAE
Ambassador Nusseibeh of UAE welcomed the adoption of the resolution and the support of the Seucrity Council.
“We believe the resolution begins to unblock live saving aid whose denial has condemned half a million people in Gaza to famine,” she said, emphasizing that the text “compels” the international community to finally share the burden that Egypt has been shouldering.
“It commits all of us to breaking the cruel blockade strangling Gaza for the last 16 years year,” she added.
In her address, the Ambassador Nusseibeh also called for urgent action to save the two-State solution, noting that the resolution gives an opportunity to demonstrate “at the very least” the the world will not tolerate the continued depravation of the people of Gaza from basic necessities.
“It puts in place a system necessary now and that will remain necessary when the war ends,” she said, adding “we are all responsible for making sure it works.”
12:54 PM
A tragic moment for the Security Council: Russia
Russian Ambassador Nebenzia recalled the amendment proposed by his delegation and said that the vote on it was a moment of truth.
He expressed regret that the Security Council did not find the courage to support at least the minimum call for an end to the violence in Gaza, and it instead signed up for a “license to kill” Palestinian civilians.
“This is a tragic moment for the Council, not a moment of triumph for multilateral diplomacy, but rather one of gross unprincipled blackmail and open scorn on part of Washington for the suffering of Palestinians and the hopes of the global community,” he said.
He went on to note that if the draft resolution had not been supported by a number of Arab States, Russia would certainly have vetoed it.
Adding that Arab States are able to take decisions and bear responsibility, he underscored “categorical” disagreement with the content on the resolution.
Ambassador Nebenzia also emphasized that the Security Council’s clear demand for a full ceasefire remains an imperative, and that without it, the implementation of Council decisions in Gaza is simply impossible.
No matter how the US resist, shielding their main ally, in the Middle East region, the Security Council will be back to clearly and unequivocally demand a cessation of hostilities, he said.
12:43 PM
Protect humanitarian, medical personnel: France
French Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Nathalie Braodhurst, said that the resolution calls for urgent measures to be taken to create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Deputy Permanent Representative Nathalie Broadhurst of France addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
“We would have preferred the Council to speak more ambitiously on this subject,” she said, noting that on Thursday, the President of France recalled the crucial importance of immediately working towards a ceasefire which alone will allow the reopening of an essential political horizon.
She underscored the importance of international humanitarian law, and said that it must be applied in all circumstances, as well as guarantee complete protection and access for humanitarian and medical personnel.
This Council must also condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, including the sexual violence they used to dehumanize and terrorize their victims, the French Ambassador said.
“It is incomprehensible that this Council has still not been able to do so. It should do so, it must do so, law and morality require it,” she stressed.
12:32 PM
Effective implementation needed: China
Dai Bing, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of China, said his country welcomed the adoption of the resolution even though the adjustments do not meet our expectations.
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Dai Bing of China addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Given the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the resolution offers “at least a glimmer of hope” for more and faster delivery of aid to the enclave, he said, adding “whether this glimmer of hope can be truly felt by the people of Gaza in the midst of this disaster also depends on whether the resolution can be effectively implemented.”
We expect action to expand humanitarian assistance in Gaza, including by the full use of Karem Shalom and the opening of other crossing points, the Ambassador said, while urging Israel to stop its collective punishment of the population of Gaza and insisting that realization of a cease fire remains the overriding goal.
This the reason why China voted for the Russian amendment, he added and expressed regret that it failed due to a veto.
12:20 PM
Parties to the conflict have obligations: UK
Barbara Woodward, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom (UK), recalled her country’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the enclave.
Ambassador Barbara Woodward of the United Kingdom addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
She said the UK supported the resolution and that it will streamline aid checks so that humanitarian response can be massively scaled up. It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages as well as for steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are clear that the resolution is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law,” she said, noting that the adoption is an important signal of the Security Council’s commitment.
“Our actions today and in the future must help ensure that the horror of the 7 October never happens again, we unequivocally condemn Hamas’ acts of terror and support Israel’s right to self defence,” Ambassador Woodward said.
“Ultimately, we support the two-State solution that guarantees true security and stability for both Israeli and Palestinian people,” she stated.
12:12 PM
A glimmer of hope: US
US Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield was the first to speak after the vote, describing the resolution as “a glimmer of hope amongst a sea of unimaginable suffering”.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
She said that since the start of the conflict, the US has worked tirelessly to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, to get lifesaving assistance into Gaza, to get hostages out of the enclave, and to push for the protection of innocent civilians and humanitarian workers, and to work towards a lasting peace.
“Today this Council made clear that all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally and that humanitarian groups must be able to access hostages, including for medical visits,” she said.
The Council made clear that all parties must respect international humanitarian law and that civilian, humanitarian and UN facilities, as well as humanitarian personnel and medical personnel, must be protected, she added.
While encouraged that the Council spoke out on the humanitarian crisis, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said the US was “appalled” that it was again unable to condemn the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on 7 October.
12:10 PM
Resolution adopted
The Security Council has adopted the draft resolution, penned by the UAE, as Resolution 2720 (2023).
13 members voted in favour, US and Russia abstained
Voting results on the resolution:
In favour: 13
Against: 0
Abstain: 2 (Russia, US)
12:08 PM
Speaking in explanation of her vote on the amendment, US Ambassador and Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said her country did not support the proposal by Russia.
“We believe the humanitarian resolution before us calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” she said.
“This is a strong step forward,” she added.
12:06 PM
Amendment fails
An amendment proposed by Russia on the draft resolution failed, having received a negative vote by a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States.
Voting result for the amendment:
In favour: 10
Against: 1 (US)
Abstentions: 4
11:58 AM
Vassily A. Nebenzia, Russian Ambassador and Permanent Representative, questioned why is the vote constantly delayed on the UAE-proposed draft.
“The answer is very simple, the US under various pretexts has been dragging out the negotiating process, deviating from the normal transparent work,”
“Instead, they have resorted to their favoured tactic of gross pressure, blackmail, twisting arms, so that at the last minute, they can present the Security Council members with an ultimatum, either the Council adopts a text that is convenient for Washington or the US will block the adoption of any product,” he added.
He said that the draft before the Council and being put to a vote today has been “extremely neutered”, including in its operative paragraph 4 on the mechanism that was supposed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure its monitoring.
“By signing off on this the Council would essentially be giving the Israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement for furthering clearing of the Gaza Strip, and anyone voting for the text as it is currently worded would bear responsibility for that,” he said.
11:53 AM
Speaking before the vote, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, warning over risks of a looming famine.
She noted that the draft resolution is the “product of extensive consultations and engagement between members of the Council, and concerned parties in particular Egypt and Palestine.”
“The purpose of this text is very simple, it responds with action tot eh dire humanitarian situation on the ground for the Palestinian people bearing the brunt of this conflict, while protecting those trying to delivery live saving aid,” she said.
“It demands the urgent release of the hostages, and humanitarian access to meet their medical needs,” she added.
11:52 AM
Security Council Members are invited to speak in explanation of their vote, before the vote.
11:50 AM
José Javier De La Gasca, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador, which holds the Presidency of the Security Council for December called the meeting to order.
Egypt and Israel have been invited to the meeting, as has the been the Observer State of Palestine.
10:30 AM
Welcome to our live coverage on Friday, 22 December, as Security Council members are expected to convene at 11:30 AM (New York time) a possible vote on a draft resolution on the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
On Thursday, Council members continued their closed-doors consultations late into the evening.
United States Ambassador and Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield emerged from the meeting, telling reporters that after working hard over the past week, her country was ready to vote on a draft resolution, if compromises made remained in the latest draft.
Follow the action at this page and at @UN_News_Centre on X, formerly Twitter.
21 December 2023 / 08:35 PM
Closed doors discussions on the draft resolution have concluded for the night. The Security Council is expected to meet Friday morning, for possible action on the draft.
Join us tomorrow morning for our continued coverage.
8:30 PM
The US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emerged from the closed door meeting telling reporters that after working hard over the past week, her country was ready to vote on a draft resolution, if compromises made remained in the latest draft.
Instead of calling for a sustainable ceasefire or suspension of fighting, it calls for creating conditions which could lead to a sustainable ceasefire. It also calls on the Secretary-General to appoint a senior aid verification coordinator in Gaza, and not a full monitoring mechanism.
7.15 PM
Ambassadors are still locked in consultations over the latest draft resolution and it is looking unlikely that they will head into the chamber tonight.
6:10 PM
Council members are in closed consultations on the draft resolution.
5:55 PM
It’s been a day of intense activity in and around the Security Council at UN Headquarters but it does now look as if ambassadors are going to go into consultations at the top of the hour, to try and bring the United States on board with a further amended draft which it is hoped will provide new impetus to boost the flow and speed of lifesaving aid to Gazans.
The last draft to go up for a vote was vetoed by the US on 8 December, which was quickly followed by action in the UN General Assembly four days later, when Member States voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, through a non-binding resolution.
The Emergency Special Session of the Assembly resumed and then adjourned on Wednesday with dozens of countries making statements on the crisis.
Avoiding another veto
The Council has been negotiating throughout the week to find language which will avoid a further US veto, having first introduced a draft which called for a “cessation of hostilities”, which now calls for a “suspension” of fighting, to vastly increase access for lifesaving aid.
The US argued on Tuesday and in previous deadlocked sessions that any resolution must condemn the Hamas extremist group’s terror attacks of 7 October which sparked this deadly and unprecedented surge in the Palestine-Israel conflict, and which led to around 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and the capture of more than 200 hostages by extremists, dozens of whom remain captive in Gaza.
A boy cycles through the heavily bombarded Asqola neighbourhood of Gaza City.
Some countries critical of Israel’s offensive have argued in response that any resolution condemning Hamas, must also condemn the Israeli occupation and the thousands of civilian deaths resulting from Israel’s military action since 7 October.
According to media reports, a further sticking point for diplomats negotiating the draft resolution has been the setting up of a UN monitoring mechanism which would be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of aid delivery at scale, independent of either Israeli or Hamas authorities in Gaza.
Situation in Gaza
Latest casualty figures from authorities in Gaza report around 20,000 civilian deaths since the Israeli retaliatory bombardment and offensive began, most of them women and children.
As of Thursday there are no functioning hospitals left in the north of the enclave and injured parents stranded in facilities are “waiting to die” there, according to the UN health agency WHO.
Tuesday’s meeting
On Tuesday as the Council met to discuss the crisis in the Middle East in a scheduled debate, the UN Special Envoy for the peace process said the whole humanitarian system was “on the brink” of collapse, and also voiced deep concern at the deteriorating situation for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
“I reiterate that security forces must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life,” Tor Wennesland stressed.
