Israel firmly rejected the UN Security Council's plea for prolonged humanitarian breaks in the intensifying conflict in Gaza, citing the continued captivity of 239 hostages by the Hamas militant group.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat, as quoted by Xinhua news agency, declared the impracticality of extended humanitarian pauses "as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas." The official statement urged the UN Security Council to unambiguously condemn Hamas for its unprecedented October 7 assault on Israel.
Authorities revealed that the hostages, a mix of Israeli and foreign nationals, were seized by the terrorist group in the aftermath of its substantial attack. Some media outlets have asserted that approximately 30 of the hostages are children.
Hamas has released four civilian hostages, and an Israeli female soldier was successfully rescued by Israeli forces. Contradicting claims emerged a day before the UNSC resolution adoption, with Hamas asserting that one of the captured soldiers had been killed by Israeli airstrikes. The group contends that at least 57 hostages have lost their lives in the relentless bombardments in Gaza.
Simultaneously, the UNSC resolution implored for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" to facilitate essential aid delivery to civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Notably, this marked the Security Council's fifth attempt to pass a resolution on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution additionally called for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. The voting dynamics saw Russia and the UK, joining the US, abstaining, allowing the resolution's adoption with support from the remaining 12 Council members, including permanent members France and China.
(With Agency Inputs)
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