Resolution mentions children 13 times and provides for UN monitoring of its application

The resolution approved by the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) provides for the organization to monitor the application of its terms by those involved in the conflict, Israel and Hamas.

The full document, obtained by CNN establishes that “the Secretary-General shall present an oral report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution at the next mandated meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and further requests the Secretary-General to identify options for effectively monitoring the application of this resolution as a matter of primary concern”.

It is clear that the resolution chooses to mention children several times. They are cited 13 times in the document.

For example, when he says that “International Humanitarian Law provides general protection for children” or when he recalls the obligations that are applicable “under international law for the protection of children”.

Or even when it resolves to “reject the forced displacement of the civilian population, including children” and pay attention to “the fact that disrupted access to education has a dramatic impact on children” and “respect for the protection of civilians, especially children”.

Read the full resolution:

“The Security Council,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter,

Reaffirming that all parties to conflicts must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law,

Stressing that international humanitarian law provides general protection for children as persons not taking part in hostilities and special protection as particularly vulnerable persons, and recalling that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international law;

Recalling that all parties to armed conflicts must strictly comply with their obligations under international law for the protection of children in armed conflicts, including those contained in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977 , as well as relevant conventions relating to the involvement of children in conflict situations;

Expressing deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its serious impact on the civilian population, especially the disproportionate effect on children, underlining the urgent need for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and highlighting the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and the obligation to respect and protect humanitarian aid personnel:

Reject the forced displacement of civilian populations, including children, in violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law,

Expressing deep concern that disrupted access to education has a dramatic impact on children and that conflict has lifelong effects on their physical and mental health,

Commending the ongoing efforts of various regional and international actors as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations to address hostage and humanitarian crises,

1. Demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, including with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children;

2. Calls for urgent and expanded humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to allow, in accordance with international humanitarian law, full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to United Nations humanitarian assistance and its implementing partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other impartial humanitarian organizations, to facilitate the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services important to the well-being of civilians, especially children, across the Gaza Strip, including water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies, as well as emergency repairs to essential infrastructure, and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and including evacuation doctor for sick or injured children and their caregivers;

3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, and for the guarantee of immediate humanitarian access;

4. Urges all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population of the Gaza Strip of basic services and humanitarian assistance essential to their survival, in accordance with international humanitarian law, which has a disproportionate impact on children, welcomes welcomes the initial, albeit limited, provision of humanitarian supplies to civilians in the Gaza Strip and calls for increased provision of such supplies to meet the humanitarian needs of the civilian population; wait

5. Underlines the importance of coordination, humanitarian notification and de-confliction mechanisms in order to protect all medical and humanitarian personnel, vehicles, including ambulances, humanitarian sites and critical infrastructure, including United Nations installations, and help facilitate movement of aid trains and patients, in particular sick and injured children and their caregivers;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to present an oral report to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution at the next mandated meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and further requests the Secretary-General to identify options for effectively monitoring the implementation of this resolution as a matter of first concern;

7. Decide to stay on topic.”