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UN Security Council demands cease-fire in Gaza during Ramadan

UN Security Council on Monday demands immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza Strip, urging release of hostages.

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The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday (25 March) issued a demand for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, along with the release of all hostages.

Notably, the United States abstained from voting on this resolution.

The resolution, proposed by the ten elected members of the council, received favourable votes from the remaining 14 council members.

Specifically addressing the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which concludes in two weeks, the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Additionally, it urges the release of all hostages captured during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October.

While traditionally vetoing Security Council resolutions that pressure Israel, the United States has started to express frustration with its ally.

This shift comes as civilian casualties rise, and the UN warns of an impending famine in Gaza.

Following the vote, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield attributed the delay in passing a ceasefire resolution to Hamas.

“We did not agree with everything with the resolution,” Thomas-Greenfield explained the reason why the US abstained, “Certain key edits were ignored, including our request to add a condemnation of Hamas.”

She underscored that the release of Israeli captives would facilitate an upsurge in humanitarian aid entering the besieged coastal enclave.

Palestinian Ambassador: Ceasefire must signal end of assault and atrocities

“This must mark a turning point,” expressed Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour to the UNSC, his emotions evident as he fought back tears. “It must signal the cessation of this assault, the end of atrocities against our people.”

Reflecting on the arduous journey, he stated that it took six months, during which over 100,000 Palestinians lost their lives or were severely injured, to finally prompt the call for an immediate ceasefire.

In Gaza, Palestinians have endured through shouting, crying, cursing, and praying, defying the odds repeatedly, Mansour added.

Now, they grapple with the harsh reality of famine, with many trapped under the debris of their own homes.

The obstruction of UNRWA aid also bears tangible consequences. “It is high time for these Israeli actions to catalyze serious international intervention,” he asserted.

Mansour expressed his appreciation for the resolution’s adoption and commended Arab unity in advocating for the ceasefire.

Israel Ambassador denounces lack of Hamas condemnation as ‘a disgrace’

However, Gilad Erdan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel raised concerns about what he perceived as “discrimination” among victims by the Security Council.

He pointed out the Council’s condemnation of the recent deadly attack on a concert hall in Moscow but criticized its failure to condemn the Nova music festival massacre on 7 October.

“Sadly, today as well, this Council refused to condemn the 7 October massacre; this is a disgrace,” he said.

Russian Ambassador Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya expressed his country’s hope that Monday’s resolution would serve the “interests of peace” rather than furthering what he termed as the “inhumane Israeli operation against Palestinians.”

“It is of fundamental importance that the UN Security Council, for the first time, is demanding the parties observe an immediate ceasefire, even if it is limited to the month of Ramadan,” he said.

“Unfortunately, what happens after that ends remains unclear.”

Russia advocated for the inclusion of the term “permanent” in relation to the ceasefire, expressing worries that its omission might allow Israel to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip immediately after Ramadan, which concludes on 9 April.

“We are disappointed that it did not make it through,” Nebenzya said.

Following the vote, Secretary-General António Guterres responded promptly, emphasizing that the long-awaited resolution must be implemented without delay.

He underscored that any failure on the part of the Council to do so “would be unforgivable,” highlighting the urgency and importance of its execution.

Netanyahu scraps Israeli delegation to US in response to UN Gaza vote

The White House stated that the final resolution lacked language deemed essential by the US, and its decision to abstain from the vote does not indicate a shift in policy.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office characterized the US’s failure to veto the resolution as a “clear retreat” from its previous stance.

They expressed concerns that this move would hinder war efforts against Hamas and impede efforts to secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.

Additionally, Netanyahu’s office announced that he will not send a high-level delegation to Washington, DC, in light of this new US position.

US President Joe Biden had requested a meeting with Israeli officials to discuss Israeli plans for a ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, where over 1 million displaced Palestinians are taking shelter.

The recent UN Security Council vote occurred amidst international appeals to halt the nearly six-month-long conflict, as Israeli forces continue to bombard Gaza and humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave deteriorate to critical levels.

The UN reported that over 90 per cent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with conditions exacerbated by the Israeli siege and bombardment, pushing the region perilously close to famine.

According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 32,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli assault since 7 October.

Israel initiated its military offensive in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,139 people, predominantly civilians.

Additionally, around 250 individuals were seized as hostages, as per Israeli accounts.

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Hamas terrorists have totally NO RIGHTS to bargain !!!

Be thankful to Israel and US is providing food aid to them. You wont get any food if Israel are terrorists !!!

Terrorists have no rights to bargain!

Ask Hamas to surrender !!!

Do you think Israel will grant a 2 state solutions? anyone?

The main root of the problems = Hamas terrorists and terrorism, Gaza use for building tunnels and hospitals for terrorists.

They are playing victim card:
1) South Africa ICJ calling Israel genocide
2) UN calling it genocide
3) Palestinians calling Israel & Netanyahu terrorists?
4) Palestine claiming is their land
5) UN now claiming starvations, etc blah blah,
6) Hamas wanted war, now they want Israel to stop war.

What do you think?

Last edited 6 months ago by john lim

Again, let’s be clear that these “starvations” will never had to happen if Hamas did not carry out the terrorist attack on 7-Oct. The current situation is of Hamas’ own making, the Israelis simply obliged them. It is so amusing to see fuxkin’ stupid terrorist-lovers don’t understand simple Cause-and-Effect rule. Remember Hamas could have released ALL the hostages for the past 5+ MONTHS, call for truce, avoid making the Gazans suffer more. That the war has dragged into the current ramadan period is due entirely to Hamas clinging onto the hostages as trophies of war, so what the Gazans must… Read more »

Why not ask all the ISIS countries to accept Palestinians? They claim they are oppressed?

Russia killed so many Ukraine soldiers. What is that compared to starvations? At least now there are food dropping down from the skies.

UN must put a complete stop to Ukraine war. (you cant use starvations as an excuse just to stop Israel war)

In a war, anything can happens, deaths, properties destroyed, starvations, country or state gone, etc etc. So why starvations are exceptional in this war? What is war then?

Anyone Palestinians condemn Hamas? Let me know. Thanks

Even both side hostages are freed, Israel has the RIGHTS TO ARREST THE TERRORISTS AFTER THAT!!!! Stop supporting terrorists and terrorism. Do not send the wrong signal that it is okay for Hamas to send more than 4500 missiles since 7th October 2023.

UN have demand Russia to cease fire?

Every time I hear cease fire

Did UN demand FREE HOSTAGES?

Who else are supporting terrorists ?

Firstly, the current Israeli Government understands the foundation of Hamas.
The Root Problem.
They know with this Root foundational problem,
The Palestinians can Never Ever Go anywhere forward in Life.
It will be a vicious cycle.
It is nice to know, The UN, actually wants to keep it that way, for we all know why.
Children Need Entertainment. Hahaha.

First time the UN has managed to get a resolution through for immediate ceasefire. This is binding on both Hamas and the Israelis. Hopefully after the 2 weeks, the ceasefire will continue and the rebuilding and healing of the Palestinians begin. We should think about helping them build a port so that they can become independent economically.

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