UN envoys from the Security Council have made an urgent trip to Egypt’s Rafah Crossing into Gaza in an attempt to halt the war. The trip was organized by the United Arab Emirates and included representatives from Russia, China, Brazil, Albania, Japan, Slovenia, and the UK. The US and France did not take up the invitation. The diplomats had the chance to see the situation at Rafah firsthand and witness the difficulties in delivering aid. The number of aid trucks entering Gaza has dwindled, leaving many citizens desperate for food and water. Israeli spokespeople insisted they were not to blame for the lack of aid reaching Gazans, and Israel is not placing any restrictions on humanitarian necessities in the Strip. The UAE’s UN ambassador called for a more efficient monitoring mechanism for aid delivery. The diplomatic group also interacted virtually with doctors and patients at a field hospital in Rafah and visited a new desalination plant. Security council members who voted for a ceasefire expressed frustration with the failure due to the US veto and vowed to continue the battle for a lasting peace.
