Pakistan has welcomed the recent adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramazan.
In a press release issued by the Foreign Office shortly after the UNSC decision, Pakistan expressed satisfaction with the resolution’s provisions, which include facilitating the free flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, removing barriers to aid provision, and ensuring the protection of civilians across the Gaza Strip.
The statement underscored Pakistan’s consistent condemnation of Israel’s indiscriminate use of force over the past six months. Pakistan has repeatedly called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s besieged population, the return of displaced Palestinians, and accountability for Israel’s actions.
Pakistan urged the swift implementation of the Security Council resolution, hoping it would serve as a crucial step towards ending Israel’s aggressive attacks, establishing a lasting ceasefire, and addressing the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a just, comprehensive, and enduring solution, advocating for the establishment of a secure, viable, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Earlier, the UNSC successfully passed the resolution, with the US choosing to abstain from voting—a departure from previous instances where the US had vetoed similar resolutions as a staunch ally of Israel. The resolution was supported by the remaining 14 council members and proposed by the 10 elected members of the body.
Israel responded strongly to the US’s decision not to block the resolution, leading to the cancellation of a planned trip by its delegation to Washington. Washington’s abstention from the vote marked a significant shift, as the US had previously shielded Israel from criticism and refrained from endorsing ceasefire initiatives during the nearly six-month-long conflict in Gaza.
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized the US’s commitment to the resolution’s objectives, stating that diplomacy is essential for realizing these goals on the ground. While the US abstained from the vote due to disagreements with certain aspects of the resolution and its omission of a condemnation of Hamas, Thomas-Greenfield stressed the urgency of initiating a ceasefire and urged pressure on Hamas to release hostages as a starting point.
