UN Security Council calls for pauses in Gaza fighting for aid

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (November 15) called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip for a “sufficient number of days” to allow aid access.

The United States, Russia, and Britain, who are council veto powers, abstained from Wednesday’s vote on the resolution drafted by Malta. The remaining 12 members voted in favor.

Russia failed in a last-minute bid to amend the resolution to call for a truce leading to a cessation of hostilities. Russia abstained because there was no call for an immediate ceasefire, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council.

The resolution was the fifth council attempt to take action since Israel says Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages in a surprise assault on Oct. 7.

The text also does not condemn the Hamas attack – a point of contention for Israel’s allies – the U.S., and Britain.