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Many world leaders have welcomed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian organization Hamas in Gaza.
The United States abstained from Monday’s vote, but the remaining 14 Council members voted in favor of the resolution.
The resolution, which the United States says it does not fully agree to, calls for an “immediate ceasefire” during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks. It calls for the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and for all parties to respect international law regarding detention, leading to a “lasting” ceasefire.
Here are some reactions from key officials around the world.
Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The ministry said the adoption of the resolution is a step in the right direction to end the five-month war, allow the reception of aid and begin the return of displaced persons.
The ministry also called on Security Council member states to fulfill their legal responsibilities to immediately implement the resolution. The ministry stressed the importance of achieving a durable ceasefire beyond the Ramadan period, as well as ensuring the receipt of aid, working to release prisoners of war, and preventing forced displacement.
Sabri Saidam, Fatah Central Committee Member
Suydam said the resolution is “a step in the right direction towards ending the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”
“The agreement we witnessed today should pave the way for the long-delayed full recognition of Palestinian rights and the independence of a Palestinian state,” Suydam told Al Jazeera.
Hamas official Bassem Naim
The Palestinian Authority, Hamas, said it would abide by the terms of the resolution and said Israel must take responsibility for adhering to the resolution.
“It is the role of the international community to impose obligations on Israel and end this double standard,” Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau official, told Al Jazeera.
“The question is, ‘How strongly will the international community oblige Israel to implement this resolution?'” he said.
The group also stressed the need to reach a permanent ceasefire leading to the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and confirmed its readiness to participate in an immediate exchange process leading to the release of prisoners on both sides.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan
Erdan said the resolution does not call for a ceasefire without making it “conditional” on the release of Gaza prisoners, saying it would “undermine efforts to secure their release.”
“This is detrimental to these efforts, as it gives Hamas terrorists the hope of achieving a ceasefire without releasing the hostages. All members of the Council… oppose this shameful resolution. “I should have voted,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Immediately after passing the resolution, Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled a US-requested visit by an Israeli delegation to Washington, D.C., to discuss concerns about Israel’s planned invasion of the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The U.S. abstention is a “clear retreat from America’s consistent position” and will have a negative impact on Israel’s war effort and efforts to free hostages still held by Hamas, the prime minister’s office said.
us white house
The White House said in a statement that Washington’s abstention “does not signal a shift in our policy…but we cannot support it because the final document does not contain language we believe is necessary, including condemning Hamas.” Ta. ”.
White House Press Secretary John Kirby said U.S. officials were “very disappointed in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision not to send his advisors to White House discussions regarding Operation Rafah.”
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
The U.N. official said the resolution “must be implemented,” adding that non-implementation “will not be tolerated.”
The Security Council has just approved the long-awaited Gaza resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
This resolution must be implemented. Failure will not be tolerated.
— Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 25, 2024
Zhang Jun, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations
“After repeatedly vetoing Council actions, the United States finally decided to stop blocking the Council’s request for an immediate ceasefire. Despite all this, the United States still finds all kinds of excuses. China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said:
“For the lives already lost, today’s Council resolution came too late. But for the millions of Gazans who remain in the grip of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, it must be fully and effectively implemented.” If done, it could bring much-needed hope,” he added.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Alekseevich Nebenzha
Nebenzha said the Russian government hopes the resolution will be used in “the interests of peace” rather than promoting “inhumane Israeli operations against the Palestinian people.”
He said Russia prefers a version of the document that calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan to lead to a “permanent and sustainable ceasefire.”
“We are disappointed that that could not be achieved. Nevertheless, we believe that voting in favor of peace is of fundamental importance. We must continue our efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
Nicolas de Rivière, French Ambassador to the United Nations
Delibière said the adoption of the resolution shows that “the Council can still act if all member states make the necessary efforts to fulfill their mandate.”
“The Security Council’s silence on Gaza has become deafening. It’s finally time for the Council to contribute to finding a solution,” he told the session.
He also said work was needed to establish a durable ceasefire and revive a political process that would lead to a two-state solution.
Barbara Woodward British Ambassador to the United Nations
Woodward said London “regrets” that the resolution did not condemn the October 7 Hamas attack, stressing that Britain “unequivocally” “condemns” the attack.
Woodward also said the resolution sends a “clear” message about the need to comply with international humanitarian law.
“We call for immediate implementation of this resolution. Mr. President, we focus on how to chart a path from an immediate humanitarian standstill to lasting and sustainable peace without a return to combat. “You need to guess,” she said.
“This means the establishment of a new Palestinian government for the West Bank and Gaza with an international support package,” she said.
Algerian Representative to the United Nations Amal Bendjama
Mr. Bendjama said the Security Council “has finally assumed its responsibility as the main body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.”
“I would like to thank all Council members for the flexibility and constructive approach that allowed us to adopt this long-awaited resolution today. [a] “This is a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to end the atrocities that have unfortunately continued for more than five months,” he said.
“This bloodbath has lasted far too long.”
Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia’s special envoy to the United Nations
“The UNSC has issued its strongest signal yet. We demand an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan leading to a permanent ceasefire. This is what we have all been waiting to hear from the Council.” said Samuel Zbogar, Special Envoy to Slovenia.
We welcome the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire. #Gaza During the month of Ramadan leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
This resolution demonstrates E10’s leadership for peace. pic.twitter.com/HH7Wpsrzv6
— From Slovenia to the United Nations (@SLOtoUN) March 25, 2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
The President of the European Commission welcomed the passage of the resolution.
“Implementation of this resolution is critical to protect all civilians,” she said in X.
I welcome the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Implementation of this resolution is essential to protect all civilians.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 25, 2024
Louis Charbonneau, UN Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
Charbonneau said Israel “needs to immediately respond” to the resolution by “facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, ending hunger for Gaza residents and halting illegal attacks.”
“Palestinian armed groups should immediately release all civilians they hold hostage. The United States and other countries must use their power to end the atrocities by halting arms transfers to Israel. We should,” he said.
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