Israel has repeatedly expressed its concern that aid deliveries could be exploited to smuggle weapons into the territory. They are also worried that even basic supplies such as fuel could be utilized by Hamas for military purposes.
An anonymous U.S. official stated that without Israel’s cooperation, enacting any Security Council resolution would be challenging. Additionally, Washington would not approve a measure that excluded Israel from the inspection process.
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt, both members of the Security Council, have demanded a U.N. inspection system to expedite aid shipments. They believe the current system is too cumbersome, as it requires aid trucks moving through Rafah to be inspected at Kerem Shalom, an Israeli border town.
According to Lana Nusseibeh, the U.A.E.’s U.N. ambassador, the goal of the resolution is to ensure safe and efficient aid delivery to Gaza, as described as a “code red moment” for the Palestinians by humanitarians.
On Wednesday, U.N. officials reported that they had been able to deliver food aid to a small number of people in Gaza. However, the aid provided was insufficient to meet the needs of the 2.2 million residents facing a severe lack of food and water, most of whom have been displaced from their homes.
U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed a desire for the guns to fall silent so that aid can be delivered to those in need in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken also expressed hope for progress on the U.N. resolution.
Israel’s foreign minister, Eli Cohen, voiced support for a plan to ship aid into Gaza through Cyprus in coordination with Israel after a security inspection.