“Urgent Action Needed: Security Council Calls for ‘Humanitarian Pauses and Corridors’ in Gaza

On July 30th, 2020, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2494 calling for “urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors” in the Gaza Strip in order to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need. The resolution, which was sponsored by Kuwait and supported by the entire Security Council, urged for weekly humanitarian ceasefires to be established between Israelis and Palestinians. The resolution also stressed the importance of opening the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the safe passage of people in need, as well as the critical need for the unhindered regular flow of fuel, essential medical supplies, food, and other life-saving commodities into Gaza. The Security Council further appealed to the International Community to ensure the full implementation of the resolution, establishment of the necessary security and technical arrangements, and the unhindered, sustained, and safe passage of humanitarian aid and personnel to and from Gaza. The resolution was adopted following weeks of intense fighting between Israelis and Palestinians over the disputed territory of Gaza. Despite attempts to reach a ceasefire agreement, civilians in the region, including women, children, and the elderly, have continued to suffer from the ongoing violence and insecurity. In this vein, the resolution is an important step towards alleviating the humanitarian situation in the region and is necessary to assist the population in exercising their basic rights. The Security Council’s action is the latest effort to bring an end to the violence that has plagued the region for years. In order to protect civilians, the resolution calls for an end to the violence and emphasizes the urgent need for the international community to work together to ensure a sustainable and lasting ceasefire. As the international community continues to strive for a more durable and lasting peace in the region, the adoption of Resolution 2494 is an important step forward towards achieving this goal.