Brasília – The United Nations (UN) Security Council officially called for an “immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas in Gaza this Monday (28th), in New York. Unanimously approved by the 15 members of the council, the statement asks for the parts involved in the conflict “to fully implement” the ceasefire during the celebration of the end of Ramadan, this week, and to extend it to beyond this period, seeking peace talks in the region.
The 15 nations called for “full respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilian population,” and emphasized that “civilian and humanitarian facilities, including those of the UN, must be respected and protected.” Three days ago, a UN school in Gaza was shelled. The statement also “calls on parties to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative."
The Security Council also stressed the need for immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip, including through urgent additional contribution to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr). In addition to the five permanent members (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France), the ten elected members currently appointed to council are: Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, South Korea, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria and Rwanda.
The Security Council is the only international agency capable of issuing binding resolutions to all the State-Members of the UN, going as far as authorizing military intervention to enforce its resolutions if needed be. A negative vote cast by a single permanent member vetoes over an eventual resolution of the council.
The statement was released soon after the emergency meeting, held at midnight with the 15 countries member of the Security Council. Since the beginning of the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, over 1,000 Palestinians and 43 Israeli soldiers have died.
*With information from Agência Lusa. Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
