GAZA CITY: Palestinians in Gaza mourned their dead on Saturday as fresh Israeli strikes followed a UN Security Council resolution that called for increased humanitarian aid but stopped short of an immediate ceasefire in the besieged territory.
Clouds of smoke covered Khan Younis city after morning Israeli strikes, with black smoke drifting over the northern part of the Palestinian territory.
The Gaza health ministry reported 18 more casualties in an Israeli strike on a house in the central Nuseirat refugee camp, with other targets hit across Gaza. On Friday, the UN Security Council’s approved resolution demanded “immediate, safe and unhindered” aid deliveries to Gaza while calling for the creation of “conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” but did not insist on an immediate end to the conflict.
UN Security Council’s Resolution on Gaza Crisis
The vote followed days of deliberation, with the United States influencing the toned-down resolution, avoiding a direct call for a ceasefire. The impact of the resolution on the ground remains uncertain as Gazans struggle to find essentials like food, fuel, water, and medical care.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that a “humanitarian ceasefire” is essential for aid to be effectively delivered, highlighting the challenges posed by Israel’s offensive. Israel, in response, reiterated its commitment to continue the war in Gaza until Hamas is “eliminated” and hostages are freed.
The conflict, which began 11 weeks ago after Hamas attacks in southern Israel, has resulted in more than 20,000 Palestinian casualties and mass displacements. The recent resolution aimed at facilitating aid delivery does not alleviate the broader concerns of escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis in the region.
