Egypt welcomes UNSC adoption of resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza despite its limited time frame

Ahram Online , Monday 25 Mar 2024

Egypt has welcomed the Security Council’s adoption of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for the first time since the beginning of the crisis despite its imbalance and limited time frame, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

File Photo: Egypt s Foreign Ministry building in Cairo. Al-Ahram

“The Arab Republic of Egypt welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of a resolution demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the month of Ramadan - for the first time since the beginning of the crisis and following the Security Council’s repeated inability to reach a resolution demanding a permanent ceasefire,” read the foreign ministry statement.

"Egypt calls for the immediate implementation of the ceasefire in a way that opens the way for dealing with all elements of the crisis," it added.

Earlier on Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution for the first time Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war after the United States abstained.

All 14 other members voted in favour of the resolution which "demands an immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The resolution calls for the truce to lead to a "lasting, sustainable ceasefire" and demands that Hamas and other Palestinian groups free Israeli captives seized on 7 October.

The successful resolution was drafted in part by Algeria, the Arab bloc's current member of the Security Council, with a diverse array of countries including Slovenia and Switzerland.

"Egypt considers that the adoption of this decision after more than five months of Israeli military operations that caused severe harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip - despite its imbalance as a result of its limited time frame and the obligations included in it - represents an important and necessary first step to put an end to the bloodshed and prevent more Palestinian civilian casualties and to provide the opportunity for humanitarian aid to enter the strip," added the statement.

"Egypt will continue its tireless efforts with international and regional parties to contain the Gaza Strip crisis as quickly as possible," it concluded.

The successful resolution was drafted in part by Algeria, the Arab bloc's current member of the Security Council, with a diverse array of countries including Slovenia and Switzerland.