2024-03-25 21:23:28
Update
25 mars 2024
22:23
The United Nations Security Council has come out in favor of an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, also demanding the immediate release of all hostages.
After more than five months of war, the UN Security Council adopted this Monday, its first resolution demanding an “immediate ceasefire” in Gazaa call blocked several times by the United States, which this time abstained.
The resolution, adopted by 14 votes for et an abstention“demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan” – which began two weeks ago –, which should “lead to a lasting ceasefire”. The text also asks “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” and “the urgent need to increase the flow” of aid to Gaza.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he would be “unforgivable” for not implementing the resolution. “The Security Council has just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable,” he wrote on X.
The White House has assured that its abstention is not “not a change of direction”. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the latest resolution included changes requested by the United States, but Washington could not vote in favor of the text because it “did not agree with everything”.
For his part, France has called for a “permanent ceasefire” after Ramadan.
War efforts
The American abstention increases the pressure on their Israeli ally, who reacted strongly to this decision. The Israeli government considers in particular that the decision of the United States “harm” his war efforts and the release of hostages in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister therefore decided immediately not to not send the expected Israeli delegation to Washington.
“This withdrawal harms both the war efforts and efforts to free the hostages.”
“This withdrawal harms both the war efforts and the efforts to free the hostages, because it gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to achieve a ceasefire without the release of our hostages “, wrote the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
On the side of the White House, is that dit “very disappointed” of this decision by the Israeli Prime Minister not to send delegation. The United States, however, affirmed that it will find ways to warn Israel against an offensive in Rafah, despite this cancellation. The Secretary of State Antony Blinken will probably discuss Rafah with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whose separate visit to Washington has been maintained. “We believe that this type of large-scale invasion would be wrong, not only because of the risks to civilians which would be immense,” said Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department.
Hamas wants a global ceasefire
The discussion between the two countries was to focus on the planned offensive against the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. This vote comes, in fact, as tensions increase due to the imminence of a Israeli military operation in the city.
The United States has asked Israel to explain how it plans to protect the 1.4 million Palestinians seeking refuge in the southern Gaza Strip ahead of an expected incursion into the region, which, according to US President Joe Biden, “would be a mistake”.
Hamas said it had informed mediators that the group would stick to its initial position on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire.
However, Hamas said other issues remained unresolved beyond the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. “For us, negotiations are not only focused on the prisoner exchange agreement“, Basem Naeim, a senior Hamas official, told CNN. “Israel has not accepted any of Hamas’ demands for a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of all forces from the Gaza Strip, even in stages. , and the return of all displaced people to their homes,” he added.
In the evening this Monday, Hamas said it informed mediators that the group would stick to its initial position on the conclusion of a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians and a “real” exchange of prisoners.
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