2024-03-26 08:29:59
NEW YORK, United States.- After months of “deafening silence,” the United Nations Security Council demanded an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, a call that was blocked several times by the United States, which on this occasion stood down. he abstained, angering his Israeli ally.
The resolution, adopted to applause by 14 votes in favor and one abstention, “demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan” leading to a lasting truce, and “demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
“This bloodbath has lasted too long (…) Finally, the Security Council assumes its responsibility,” said the Algerian ambassador Amar Bendjama, one of the promoters of the initiative. This vote “must be a turning point (…) It must signal the end of this avalanche of atrocities against our people,” the Palestinian ambassador added with a broken voice. Riyad Mansour, who described it as a “historic day.”
Although Security Council resolutions are binding, affected states often ignore them.
For the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres“this resolution must be applied” because “non-compliance would be unforgivable,” he said in a message published in X. The Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, He already anticipated that Israel will not end its war “as long as there are hostages in Gaza.”
Unlike the American text rejected on Friday by Russian and Chinese vetoes, this resolution does not link its demands to the diplomatic efforts of Qatar, the United States and Egypt, although it recognizes the existence of these talks aimed at a truce accompanied by an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The American ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfielddid insist on establishing a link, thus putting pressure on Hamas.
“A ceasefire can begin as soon as the first hostage is released,” the diplomat said. “This is the only way to ensure a ceasefire,” she stressed.
Some observers viewed the US abstention as a substantial change in Washington’s position, under pressure to limit its support for Israel at a time when the Israeli offensive has claimed more than 32,000 lives in Gaza, according to the Hamas Health Ministry.
