UN Security Council adopts ceasefire resolution

The resolution, which seeks support for the 3-phase proposal announced by US President Biden that envisions an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in its first phase, has been adopted.

In the vote held at the 15-member UNSC, the resolution submitted by the US received 14 "yes" votes, while Russia abstained.

The adopted resolution notes the diplomatic efforts led by Egypt, the US, and Qatar, and welcomes the 3-phase proposal presented by Biden on May 31.

HERE ARE THE 3 INITIAL PHASES

The resolution, which states that Israel has accepted Biden's proposal, also calls on Hamas to accept and implement the proposal.

According to the resolution, in accordance with the 3-phase proposal; the first phase will ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release of women, elderly, and wounded hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, an increase in humanitarian aid, the reconstruction of basic services, the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes throughout the entire strip, including northern Gaza, and the provision of necessary housing contributions by the international community.

The resolution demands the release of all remaining hostages in the second phase following an agreement between the parties to permanently end the crisis, and calls for the withdrawal of Israel from all of Gaza.

The resolution states that in the third phase, a multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza will be initiated, and it also provides for the return of the bodies of deceased hostages.

The resolution notes that if negotiations for the first phase take longer than 6 weeks, the ceasefire will continue until the negotiations are concluded, emphasizing the importance of the parties complying with the terms of the agreement and requesting support from the UNSC and UN members.

The resolution supports a two-state solution and points to the importance of uniting the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

THAT PHRASE WAS REMOVED

In the first draft of the resolution that the US opened for negotiations, while the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza was supported, the creation of a "buffer zone" in Gaza was opposed.

It was noted that the phrase opposing a "buffer zone" was removed from the final text submitted to a vote.

On the other hand, the fact that Biden's proposal was not included in the resolution text in writing was among the points that drew criticism.

The US had vetoed many draft resolutions submitted by various UNSC members demanding a ceasefire in Gaza after October 7.

STATEMENT FROM HAMAS

Hamas announced that it welcomes the points in the UNSC resolution regarding "a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, prisoner exchange, reconstruction, and the return of civilians."

BIDEN'S PROPOSAL

US President Biden had announced at a press conference held at the White House on May 31 that Israel had put forward a new proposal regarding the ceasefire and hostages in Gaza.

Biden had reported that Israel had presented a new 3-phase ceasefire proposal, and that in the first phase, during a 6-week ceasefire process, it envisioned the withdrawal of Israel from residential areas in Gaza and the release of some of the hostages held by the parties.

Stating that "Israeli forces will fully withdraw from residential areas in Gaza" in the first phase, Biden had expressed that the release of hostages, primarily the elderly and women, and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza were envisioned during the same process.

He had said that Israel would withdraw from Gaza (in the first phase), that the temporary ceasefire would turn into a permanent end to hostilities, and that if the parties reached an agreement on all issues and the ceasefire became permanent in the second phase, they would move to the third phase.

He had stated that the reconstruction process of Gaza would come to the agenda in this phase as well.

News Source: AA