The UN Security Council on Monday has approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding the immediate release of all hostages. The Council mandates that ‘the resolution must be implemented and failure to do so would be unforgivable’.
Many global leaders have expressed support for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
While the United States abstained from voting on Monday, the remaining 14 council members endorsed the resolution.
The resolution, which the US stated it did not fully agree with, calls for an “immediate ceasefire” for the duration of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which concludes in two weeks. It also urges the ceasefire to pave the way for a “lasting” truce, the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and adherence to international law by both parties regarding detentions.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged UNSC member states to promptly fulfil their legal responsibilities to implement the resolution. Emphasising the significance of achieving a permanent ceasefire extending beyond Ramadan, the ministry underscored the importance of securing aid entry, facilitating prisoner releases, and preventing forced displacement.
Fatah Central Committee member Sabri Saidam expressed that the resolution “is a step in the right direction, leading towards the end of the ongoing massacre in Palestine”.
He further stated, “The consensus we witnessed today should pave the way for the full recognition of the much-delayed rights of the Palestinians and independence of the State of Palestine,” in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Hamas official Basem Naim affirmed the Palestinian group’s commitment to the conditions outlined in the resolution, emphasising that Israel must be held accountable for adhering to its provisions.
“It is the responsibility of the international community to compel Israel and put an end to this double standard,” stated Basem Naim, a senior official in Hamas’s political bureau, in an interview with Al Jazeera.
“It is the responsibility of the international community to compel Israel and put an end to this double standard,” stated Basem Naim, a senior official in Hamas’s political bureau, in an interview with Al Jazeera.
“The crucial question is, ‘How determined is the international community to enforce Israel’s compliance with this resolution?'” he added.
The group emphasised the importance of achieving a permanent ceasefire that results in the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Additionally, it affirmed its readiness to participate in an immediate exchange process that facilitates the release of prisoners on both sides.
Gilad Erdan, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, criticized the resolution for not calling for an unconditional ceasefire without linking it to the release of captives in Gaza.
He argued that this approach undermines efforts to secure their release, stating, “It is detrimental to these efforts because it gives Hamas terrorists hope of achieving a ceasefire without releasing the hostages. All members of the council… should have opposed this disgraceful resolution.”
Isreal-US straining relationship
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the passing of the resolution by cancelling the visit of an Israeli delegation to Washington, DC.
This visit was requested by the US to discuss concerns over a proposed Israeli invasion of Rafah, a city in the densely populated southern Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister’s office described the US abstention as “a clear departure from the consistent stance of the US,” expressing concerns that it would undermine Israel’s war efforts and hinder its efforts to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed disappointment over Netanyahu’s decision to withhold his advisors from discussing the Rafah operation at the White House.
Global Reactions
Zhang Jun, China’s ambassador to the UN, remarked that after multiple instances of vetoing the council’s actions, the United States ultimately ceased obstructing the council’s calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Despite this change, the US continued to seek various excuses and level accusations against China.
Zhang Jun further stated that while today’s resolution may be too late for those who have already lost their lives, it still holds potential to bring hope to the millions of people in Gaza grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, provided it is fully and effectively implemented.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, expressed Moscow’s hope that the resolution would serve the “interests of peace” rather than furthering the “inhumane Israeli operation against Palestinians”.
He stated that Russia favoured a version of the text that called for a Ramadan ceasefire to lead to “a permanent sustainable ceasefire”.
Nebenzya voiced disappointment that this version did not gain approval but emphasized the importance of voting in favor of peace. He stressed that the council must persist in its efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire.
The French ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, stated that the adoption of the resolution demonstrates that the UNSC can “still act when all of its members make the necessary effort to discharge their mandate.”
Addressing the session, he remarked, “The Security Council’s silence on Gaza was becoming deafening. It is high time now for the council to finally contribute to finding a solution.”
De Riviere also emphasised the need to work towards establishing a permanent ceasefire and revitalising the political process to achieve the two-state solution.
The UK ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, remarked that London “regrets” the absence of condemnation for the October 7 Hamas attack in the resolution and emphasised that the United Kingdom “condemns” such attacks “unequivocally”.
She also emphasized that the resolution sends a “clear” message on the importance of upholding international humanitarian law. Woodward stated, “We call for this resolution to be implemented immediately. President, we need to focus on how we chart the way from an immediate humanitarian pause to a lasting, sustainable peace without a return to fighting.”
She added, “That means the formation of a new Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package.”
Algeria’s representative to the UN, Amar Bendjama, remarked that the Security Council is “finally shouldering its responsibility as the primary organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security”.
He expressed gratitude to all council members for their flexibility and constructive approach, which enabled the adoption of the long-awaited resolution. Bendjama described the resolution as a call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to halt the ongoing massacres that have persisted over the past five months.
“This bloodbath has continued for far too long.”
Slovenia’s envoy to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, stated, “UNSC delivered the strongest signal thus far: We demand an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan leading to a lasting ceasefire. It is a call we have all been desperate to hear from the council.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the passing of the resolution, emphasising that “implementation of this resolution is vital for the protection of all civilians”.
Louis Charbonneau, the UN director of Human Rights Watch, asserted that Israel “needs to immediately respond” to the resolution “by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, ending its starvation of Gaza’s population and halting unlawful attacks”.
He further added, “Palestinian armed groups should immediately release all civilians held hostage. The US and other countries should use their leverage to end atrocities by suspending arms transfers to Israel.”
South Africa Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor expressed appreciation for the resolution on public radio but underscored that “the Security Council holds the responsibility moving forward”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised the resolution, noting that it aligns with Spain’s stance since the beginning of the conflict.
He emphasised, “The realisation of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security is the only realistic and viable solution for the region,” in a statement on X.
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte embraced the resolution, urging an end to violence, the release of hostages, an immediate increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the pursuit of a lasting solution.
On the other hand, Geert Wilders, the far-right leader who secured victory in recent polls, expressed solidarity with “my Israeli friends in combating Hamas”. He criticized the UN, USA, and Europe, arguing they fail to grasp Israel’s existential battle against Hamas, which he labeled as “dark forces of hate and destruction”.
Turkey referred to the resolution and the potential restoration of humanitarian access to Gaza as “a positive step.” Turkish foreign affairs spokesman Öncü Keçeli wrote on X, stating, “We hope that Israel will comply with the requirements of this resolution without delay.”
Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard described the resolution as “long overdue”.
“This resolution must be accompanied by a shift in political pressure, including an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo,” Callamard emphasized.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, voiced the country’s endorsement of the resolution in the “strongest terms” and emphasised the need for its immediate enforcement.
In a statement, he asserted, “We must promptly alleviate the people of Gaza from the immense pain and suffering they have endured for almost six months.”
“Particularly, the United States must prevail upon its ally to respect the will of the international community and accordingly observe the ceasefire and permit the immediate and massive entry of emergency aid.”
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