Islamabad: After over 5 months of ongoing Israeli violence in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday calling for an immediate ceasefire throughout the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan.
The resolution, endorsed by fourteen council members, comes amidst escalating tensions and violence in the region, seeking to bring an end to the strife that has gripped Gaza for weeks. Notably, the resolution was proposed by non-permanent members of the Security Council, underlining the global concern for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
The two-week ceasefire period, extending till the conclusion of Ramadan on 9 April comes following numerous unsuccessful attempts to broker a ceasefire since the outbreak of Israeli hostilities in Gaza, with the United States exercising its veto power to block three prior ceasefire initiatives.
While there is scant cause for celebration given the profound suffering endured by the people of Gaza, the approved ceasefire offers a reprieve from the daily onslaught of death and destruction, allowing residents of the besieged enclave to grieve for their loved ones and embark on the arduous journey of healing but only on the condition that Israel abides by the resolution.
Having vetoed 3 resolutions seeking a ceasefire, the US opted to abstain from the latest vote, possibly influenced by mounting international condemnation of Israeli aggression and domestic criticism of Washington’s unwavering support for Tel Aviv amid escalating Israeli violence, that has taken over 32,000 Palestinian lives. While other influential members like Russia, China, and the UK supported the resolution, the US’s decision not to vote has raised questions about its stance on the conflict.
Central to the resolution’s demands is the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the critical importance of implementing the resolution swiftly, emphasizing the dire consequences of failure. He underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, urging all parties to adhere to the resolution for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
However, reports emerged prior to the vote indicating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s staunch opposition to the resolution. Netanyahu reportedly issued warnings, threatening to cancel a planned visit to Washington with a delegation if the US did not exercise its veto power, signaling the complexity and sensitivity surrounding efforts to address the Gaza crisis.
It is worth noting that the U.S. has a history of shielding Israel from UN actions and has previously vetoed three Security Council resolutions since the start of the Israeli offensive against Gaza on October 7.
During the past 24 hours, over 107 Palestinians have been martyred and more than 176 have been wounded in the relentless attacks by the occupying Zionist forces across Gaza. At least 18 people, including nine children, were killed when the Israeli military bombed a house in Rafah.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has confirmed that the total number of martyrs due to Israeli attacks since October 7 has now reached 32,333 and 74,694Â injured.
It remains evident that the genocidal attacks of the Israeli forces on Gaza continue. The UN reports that 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced internally, with critical shortages of food, water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, with an interim ruling in January ordering Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, which so far has gone unheeded as relentless Israeli attacks on Gaza claim the lives of hundreds of Palestinians daily.
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