UN Security Council demands ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza

Zim Now Writer/UN News - The United Nations Security Council yesterday adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan while also calling for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages on both sides.

This comes as UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres is on a solidarity trip to the enclave, whose situation he has described as “a moral outrage”, urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so Gaza could be “flooded” with desperately needed aid.

The UN Secretary-General said the failure of the UNSC to adopt the resolution “would be unforgivable”. 

Following yesterday’s vote the UN chief immediately said on X that the long-awaited resolution must be implemented.

A key ally of Israel, the United States, which vetoed three earlier Council texts, abstained yesterday, allowing the measure to pass. The abstention by Washington followed intense weekend negotiations among Council members.

Resolution 2728 (2024), adopted with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (United States), “demands” an immediate ceasefire for the remainder of Ramadan, respected by all parties and “leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire”.

The other demand is the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and calls for ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.

The Council further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain.

The UNSC also acknowledged the ongoing diplomatic efforts being undertaken by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, which are aimed at reaching a cessation of hostilities, releasing the hostages and increasing the provision and distribution of humanitarian aid.

Resolution 2728 (2024) reiterated the demand for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, and deplored all attacks against civilians and civilian objects, violence and hostilities against civilians and acts of terrorism.

It further acknowledged that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international law.

The UNSC also emphasised the “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip” and reiterated “its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale”.

Resolution 2728 (2024) was the UNSC’s first clear call for an immediate ceasefire since Israel began a military offensive in the Gaza Strip following last October’s brutal attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups against settlements in southern Israel, in which over 1 200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.

Israel’s military operation has since reportedly claimed over 32 000 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, displaced about 1.7 million and left massive destruction across the enclave.

In its four previous attempts to adopt a resolution on the Gaza crisis, the 15-member UNSC has failed in its four previous attempts to adopt a resolution, and on Friday, when permanent members China and Russia vetoed a proposal led by the United States (another permanent member, along with France and the UK rounding out the so-called ‘P-5’).

Before the adoption, elected Council member Mozambique introduced the draft text on behalf of the group of 10 elected members, known as the “E-10”.

Along with Mozambique, the elected members of the Security Council are Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Mozambique’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Pero Afonso, said it was essential to end the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, which is a matter of “grave concern to the entire international community” and a clear threat to peace and security.

He said the E-10 group have always supported the call for an immediate ceasefire as a “fundamental” starting point, but the draft resolution also demands the immediate release of all hostages and full humanitarian access to them.

“Given the utmost urgency of the situation, we call on all members to vote in favour of the resolution and work towards a comprehensive ceasefire and a lasting peace in the Middle East,” he said.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147951

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