ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
As the war rages on in Gaza, with Rafah being the latest target of Israeli military aggression, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a complete ceasefire, which Arab world leaders hailed as an “important and pivotal step” towards ending the protracted humanitarian suffering of the enclave’s residents.
All eyes were on world leaders on Monday, as the US-penned resolution outlining a three-step permanent ceasefire deal hit the voting deck at the UN Security Council.
The 15-member UN body largely welcomed the resolution, with 14 votes in favour and one abstention by Russia, which decided not to exercise its veto power because “the Arab world supports it”, as noted in the statement by the country’s representative. The main point of contention Russia expressed was the lack of a clear negotiation process and that the draft’s sponsors “did not keep the Council in the loop of the agreement’s details.”
Welcoming the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 (2024), the Palestinian presidency said that it supports “any resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and preserves Palestinian land unity."
“The Palestinian Presidency considered the adoption of this resolution as a step in the right direction to stop the ongoing war of genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, calling on all parties to fulfil their responsibilities,” the statement added.
Jordan, the co-host of the ongoing “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference in Amman, attended by high-level delegations, praised the resolution for its “rejection of attempts to impose demographic or geographic change” in Gaza.
The Ministry’s official spokesman, Ambassador Dr. Sufyan Al-Qudah also reiterated the importance of launching a reconstruction process in Gaza, calling for the implementation of the two-state solution, the official statement added.
Saudi Arabia also welcomed the resolution, expressing its “full support” towards all international efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire. The official statement also emphasised the importance “of all parties’ commitment to end the protracted war.”
Kuwait joined the praises, affirming the significance of the resolution and calling it an “important and pivotal step towards stopping the systematic Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and Palestinian civilians”. Its statement also urged international parties to take responsibility to ensure its implementation.
Egypt advocated for the three steps outlined in the resolution, urging both parties to finalise the deal as soon as possible, without any additional conditions or delays.
“Egypt renews its call to Israel for the importance of complying with its obligations in accordance with the provisions of international law and stop the war it is waging against Gaza, as well as the killings and destruction it has caused”, the official statement added.
Building on the ceasefire proposal announced on May 31 by US President Joe Biden, which was said to have been accepted by Israel, the resolution outlines a three-step process which would lead to the permanent cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The first phase requests “an immediate, full, and complete ceasefire” with the release of women, the elderly, and the wounded, as well as the return of some hostages who have been killed; the exchange of Palestinian prisoners; withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza; the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes; and the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance.
Following the successful completion of phase one, phase two would be initiated - a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Lastly, phase three entails “the start of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the remains of any deceased hostages still in Gaza to their families.”