U.S. abstains from UN Security Council vote calling for more humanitarian aid in Gaza

Amna Nawaz:

The United Nations Security Council came together today to approve a resolution calling for more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza after a week of delays. The U.S. abstained from the vote, which did not demand a cease-fire.

In the meantime, American officials are saying Iran was deeply involved in the planning of attacks against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

John Yang:

Bodies and burials overwhelm Gaza. Officials of the Hamas-run Health Ministry say the death toll has passed 20,000.

After another airstrike, Anwar Dhair buried the next generations of his family.

Anwar Dhair, Gaza Strip Resident (through interpreter):

My daughter, her husband. This is my grandson. He was a baby, 4 months old.

John Yang:

Those lucky enough to survive still face a bleak fate. The few remaining hospitals don't have enough staff or supplies for meaningful treatment. This school has been turned into a field hospital.

Dr. Bashir Al-Hourani, Deir Al-Balah Field Hospital (through interpreter):

We can't do anything but gauze and disinfectant. We don't have anything else. We call on everyone, the whole world, to support us in providing medical equipment, providing medicines, lifting the siege on Gaza.

John Yang:

Staff at the Al-Zawayda clinic provide what care they can, but without enough early childhood vaccines, these children will be far susceptible to illnesses like polio or measles.

Lama Al Afesh is a nurse.

Lama Al Afesh, Nurse (through interpreter):

We have a shortage of childhood vaccinations, especially those who are newborn babies aged 1 and 1 months.

John Yang:

Clinic psychologist Waleed Omar Hamdan said he worries about the long-term consequences, mental, as well as physical.

Waleed Omar Hamdan, Clinic Psychologist (through interpreter):

Things were fragile somehow before the war, and, during this war, things became even worse. The number of psychiatric cases among children, adolescents and adults has increased significantly.

John Yang:

But even with the best medical care, Gazans can't recover without food and water. International aid organizations estimate that half-a-million people are starving in Gaza, and say the situation could collapse into famine.

Mahmoud Al-Qishawi, Pious Projects:

Even if we provide food, but we have many problems, like we have no access to gas. So we go to streets to gather some wood to burn the fire and cook the food, and also a huge number of families, and we don't have food that is enough for them.

John Yang:

Aid trickles through the Rafah Crossing and newly open Kerem Shalom crossing. But once inside Gaza, aid workers struggle to reach those who need it.

Israeli officials say there is no shortage.

Col. Moshe Tetro, Israeli Defense Forces:

In terms of food, the reserves in Gaza Strip are sufficient for the near-term.

Man (through interpreter):

The result of vote is as follows.

John Yang:

After many delays, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution calling for much more humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Man:

Abstentions?

John Yang:

The United States and Russia abstained after a U.S. veto of a Russian amendment calling for a cease-fire.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: While we are encouraged that the council spoke out on this humanitarian crisis, we're deeply disappointed, appalled, actually, that, once again, the council was not able to condemn Hamas' horrific terrorist attack on October 7.

John Yang:

Today, a Southern Israel kibbutz said it had determined that one of its residents, an American-Israeli citizen, was killed in the initial Hamas attack October 7. Kibbutz Nir Oz said Hamas took 73-year-old Gad Haggai's body to Gaza.

In a statement, President Biden said: "I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage. We will not stop working to bring them home."

With American support, the Israeli offensive pushes forward, determined to complete its mission. As Christmas nears, the region prepares for a different kind of holiday. Near Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, revered by Christians as the traditional birthplace of Christ, rubble takes the place of Christmas lights, a gesture of solidarity with Gaza.

Rev. Issa Thaljieh, Pastor, Church of the Nativity (through interpreter): Art is a message. Whether it is a painting or art through rocks, it's a message. And this message is that people can see the real scene, that Christmas comes during war and hardship.

John Yang:

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm John Yang.