UNSC urged to implement Gaza ceasefire resolution

Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council to take appropriate measures to ensure implementation “in letter and spirit” of its resolution seeking ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza and called for imposing an an immediate ban on the export of weapons and ammunition to Israel. Speaking in the General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Represented Ambassador Munir Akram demanded of the Security Council to hold Israel responsible for its crimes against the Palestinian people in the enclave. The 193-member Assembly met on Monday to debate the use of veto on the Middle East situation and the Palestinian Question. The session was called after the veto of a draft resolution submitted by the United States. Ambassador Akram reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching support for the admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, saying, “This step will make a Palestinian state a political reality and inevitability.” He expressed his disappointment at Israel’s non-compliance with the ceasefire resolution. Noting that the vetoed resolution contained several positive elements, Akram said there were significant deficiencies in it, particularly the absence of a demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, which had the overwhelming support of the entire UN membership. The criticised the vetoed resolution for its failure to address Israel’s military actions adequately, including the killing of innocent Palestinians and the absence of reference to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) preliminary findings and recommendations. Referring to Israel’s military campaign against Gaza, Ambassador Akram underscored the urgency of a ceasefire, condemning Israel’s actions that resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, targeting of essential infrastructure, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. He called for the revival of the peace process, inclusive of key Arab and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, saying, “The brutality and bloodshed in Gaza has persisted for too long. These must end now, and their recurrence must be prevented through a durable two-state solution.”