UN Security Council Sees 14 Members Vote in Favor of Gaza Ceasefire Resolution

UN Security Council Sees 14 Members Vote in Favor of Gaza Ceasefire Resolution
Photo: Collected

Daily Bijoy News Correspondent:

Of the 15 members of the UN Security Council, 14 united on Wednesday, August 27th, to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemn Israel's planned expansion of military operations. The United States was the sole member not to join the statement. In a joint declaration read by diplomats from Guyana and Slovenia, the countries issued a three-part call: “We call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. We call for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. We call for a substantive surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.”

They specifically urged Israel to reverse its decision to further expand its operations, warning that the move to take over Gaza City “will inevitably worsen the already horrific humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of all civilians, including the hostages.” The 14 signatory nations are Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, and the United Kingdom.

The statement emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian aid, demanding Israel “immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on aid delivery,” including opening all land routes and ensuring safe operations for the UN and its partners. It stressed that the principles of “humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence must be central to humanitarian action.”

The collective warning comes in the dire context of a recently confirmed famine in Gaza. The countries expressed “profound alarm and distress” at a report confirming famine is now occurring and is projected to spread. They labeled the situation a “man-made crisis,” stating, “The use of starvation as a weapon of war is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law.” The statement concluded with a final plea: “Time is of the essence. The humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay and Israel must reverse course.”

Daily Bijoy News/ UJ