United Nations, Mar 25 (UNI) The Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that demands an immediate cease-fire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan.
The resolution won 14 votes in favor among the 15 members of the council. The United States, which had previously vetoed three draft resolutions that would have called for or demanded a cease-fire in Gaza, abstained on Monday, allowing the draft to pass.
At the adoption of the resolution, there was a round of applause in the chamber, which was a rare occasion.
Resolution 2728 was the first Security Council resolution that demands or calls for a cease-fire in Gaza after the flare-up of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Some 32,333 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and nearly 75,000 Palestinians injured since Oct. 7, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Resolution 2728 demands an immediate cease-fire for Ramadan respected by all parties, leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire.
It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. It further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain.
Resolution 2728 emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip. It reiterates the Security Council's demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law as well as Security Council Resolutions 2712 and 2720 concerning humanitarian delivery in Gaza.
Before the vote on the draft resolution tabled by the 10 elected members of the Security Council, Russia proposed an oral amendment.
The Russian proposal would have restored the word "permanent" contained in the original draft to demand a Ramadan cease-fire that would lead to a permanent and sustainable cease-fire.
The Russian amendment failed to obtain enough support in the Security Council.
The United States voted against the Russian amendment. Eleven members abstained. Three voted in favor.
UNI XC GNK