The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan.
The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor among the 15 members of the Council. The United States, which had previously vetoed three draft resolutions that would have called for or demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, abstained on Monday, allowing the draft to pass.
Following the adoption of the resolution, there was a round of applause in the chamber, which was a rare occasion.
Resolution 2728 is the first Security Council resolution that demands or calls for a ceasefire in Gaza after the flare-up of the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza on Oct 7, 2023. Some 32,333 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and nearly 75,000 others injured since, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Resolution 2728 demands an immediate ceasefire for Ramadan respected by all parties, leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.
It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. It further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law concerning all persons detained.
Resolution 2728 emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip. It reiterates the Security Council’s demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law as well as Security Council Resolutions 2712 and 2720 concerning humanitarian deliveries in Gaza.
Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, called for efforts from major powers with great influence in the region to promote the implementation of the ceasefire resolution.
“Of course, the implementation will be key. Otherwise, it doesn’t make any sense. So, we will urge Council members, in particular those who are very much influential in the region, to really take all measures to get this resolution implemented and also the ceasefire realized,” Zhang said.
Before the vote on the draft resolution tabled by the 10 elected members of the Security Council, Russia proposed an oral amendment.
The Russian proposal would have restored the word “permanent” contained in the original draft to demand a Ramadan ceasefire that would lead to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire.
The Russian amendment failed to obtain enough support in the Security Council. The United States voted against the Russian amendment. Eleven members abstained. Three voted in favor.
(Reuters)