Resolution 2720, written by the United Arab Emirates, was adopted by the UN Security Council for Israel-Gaza war. It calls for significant, practical measures to boost the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip while safeguarding UN and local humanitarian workers who provide it.
The resolution calls for the appointment of a Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator by the UN Secretary-General, who will oversee and confirm that all supplies provided to the Gaza Strip are of a humanitarian nature.
UN coordinator will scale up and accelerate aid to Gaza Strip
In turn, the Coordinator will be in charge of setting up an aid distribution system overseen by the UN that will expedite and simplify supplies to the Gaza Strip. In order for the Senior Coordinator to carry out their role without hindrance, the Security Council required that all sides to the conflict collaborate with them. This strengthens the UN’s response and secures the complete support of the Security Council.
The resolution demands immediate action to provide safe, unimpeded, and increased humanitarian access as well as a long-term end to hostilities in the region.
“The world has seen the suffering in Gaza and is desperately trying to come to its aid. This resolution will help make that happen at the scale that is needed. Today’s resolution is an important step on the long road ahead. It is vital that the UN Security Council lives up to its responsibility by ensuring its full implementation.”
Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN
Parties to the conflict are required by the resolution to facilitate access to and usage of all routes within the Gaza Strip.
Resolution demands safety of all United Nations personnel
It requires that parties to the conflict guarantee the security and safety of UN and humanitarian workers. There have been 136 fatalities among the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East personnel.
The resolution calls for the unconditional and prompt release of all captives, as well as the provision of humanitarian access. Present and prospective members of the UN Security Council were taken on a fact-finding visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip last week by Ambassador Nusseibeh.
Council members witnessed firsthand how inadequate the current system is and how urgently greater humanitarian relief is needed. They had meetings with local governments, UN representatives, and aid agencies.
Thousands of vehicles carrying relief from all over the world were unable to reach Gaza; this resolution is a direct response to these difficulties.
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