Health authorities in Gaza claim that approximately 20,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have been killed in Israel’s offensive. The UN has cautioned about a humanitarian crisis as basic infrastructure for healthcare and civic services crumbles in the region.
UN officials revealed earlier this month that nearly 60 percent of the population in Gaza are on the brink of starvation. They further warned of a possible famine within the next six months.
Tor Wennesland, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, informed the Security Council on Tuesday, “The delivery of humanitarian aid in the strip continues to face nearly insurmountable challenges. Amid displacement at an unimaginable scale and active hostilities, the humanitarian response system is on the brink.”
The United Arab Emirates, currently the only Arab country on the 15-member Security Council, initially proposed a resolution for a “cessation of hostilities.” Later, the text was revised to call for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip.”
As international demands for a cease-fire intensify, Israel is under increased internal pressure to swiftly secure a deal for the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Israeli officials have been in fragile negotiations with Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators over a possible cease-fire and hostage agreement. However, no agreement has been reached since a weeklong truce collapsed on Dec. 1.
Since then, humanitarian aid has slowly made its way through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza after a complex screening process involving inspection in Israel and then transit into Gaza.
The future governance of Gaza has sparked tensions between President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out allowing the Palestinian Authority to control Gaza and insists that Israel must be responsible for security in Gaza for the foreseeable future.
Tzachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu’s national security adviser, seemed to soften that stance in a recent column. However, a senior Israeli official later clarified that the government’s view remains unchanged.
Roni Caryn Rabin contributed reporting.