NEW YORK: The Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour has demanded that Israel’s “madness must be brought to an end”.

Speaking at the UNSC on Wednesday, he said. “What is happening will have long-term effects that no one should underestimate.

“Let us stop pretending we don’t hear what this government is saying,” he said. “Its plan is the continued dispossession, displacement and denial of rights of the Palestinian people. To complete the Nakba.”

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called “for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable … the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access”.

According to Reuters, it demands compliance with international law, specifically the protection of civilians, especially children.

It also calls on all parties not to deprive civilians in Gaza of basic services and humanitarian aid needed for their survival, welcomes the initial, limited deliveries of aid, but calls for that to be increased.

Russia failed in a last-minute bid to amend the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council to call for a truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.

According to Reuters, it 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 and the text also does not condemn the Hamas attack a point of contention for Israel’s ally, the US, and Britain.

Britain also abstained because there was no condemnation of the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas.

The United Nations Security Council has called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip for a “sufficient number of days” to allow aid access.

According to Reuters, the 15-member council overcame an impasse, which saw four unsuccessful attempts to take action last month, to adopt a resolution that also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.

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 favour.

The council stalemate has largely been centred on whether to call for a humanitarian pause or a ceasefire. A pause is generally considered less formal and shorter than a ceasefire, which has to be agreed by the warring parties. The United States has backed pauses, while Russia has pushed for a ceasefire.