A resolution adopted by the Security Council on Friday calls for significantly increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The resolution also urges urgent measures to facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, but there is no clear demand for a ceasefire.
In relation to a Russian demand for a formulation with the word ceasefire, the U.S. laid down a veto. Regarding the adopted resolution, both the USA and Russia abstained from voting.
According to Reuters, the adopted text is a significantly watered-down version of the original draft resolution after several postponements of a vote during the week. However, the resolution demands substantial emergency aid to Gaza.
Resolutions of the Security Council are binding.
The U.S. has refused to support a demand for a stop or a pause in the hostilities, which led to postponements of votes four times.
The resolution does not deprive Israel of control over emergency aid, which is transported into the Gaza Strip from Egypt or via Israel.
Russia abstained from voting because, according to Moscow, the resolution does not go far enough in demanding a stop to the hostilities.
On the other hand, the U.S. vetoed a Russian proposal for a resolution that demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The U.S. vetoed on December 8 to stop a resolution that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The five permanent member countries of the Security Council, which have veto power, are the victorious great powers from World War II: the USA, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia, as well as China.
