The United States has not voted for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the UN Council has approved it

The resolution does not dilute Israel's control over all aid delivery to the 2.3 million people in Gaza, after high-level negotiations to gain Washington's support. Israel monitors limited aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt and the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.

But the weak language on the cease-fire has frustrated many council members – including Russia, which has veto power – and Arab and Islamic Cooperation Organization countries, which some diplomats say is an endorsement of Israel's continued action. Against Hamas over the deadly October 7 attack.

The adopted resolution calls for “urgent measures to immediately allow safe, unimpeded and expanded humanitarian access and to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” An initial draft called for an “urgent and permanent cessation of hostilities” to allow aid access.

“By allowing this, the council will give the Israeli armed forces complete freedom of movement to continue the cleanup of the Gaza Strip,” Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council ahead of the vote.

Russia proposed that the draft be amended to return to the original text, which called for “an urgent and permanent ceasefire”. The US vetoed the amendment. He received 10 votes in favor and four members abstained.

Earlier this month, the 193-member UN General Assembly called for a humanitarian ceasefire, with 153 states voting in favor of a move vetoed by the US in the Security Council days earlier.