PNN – The British ambassador and representative to the United Nations stated that the cease-fire agreement on Gaza is now on the table, which was approved by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 2735, without referring to Israel’s violations, said: Hamas is responsible for accepting this agreement and ending the suffering of the Palestinian people and the remaining hostages.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, British ambassador and representative to the United Nations Barbara Wood Ward added on Tuesday local time at the Security Council meeting about the situation in the Middle East: I reiterate the UK’s adherence to the principles contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which serves as a clear reinforcement of international support for the two-country approach.
This senior British diplomat at the United Nations said: The suffering we witnessed from the horrific attacks of October 7th and its aftermath underscores more than ever the importance of a diplomatic solution to this conflict that guarantees the safety and security of the Israeli and Palestinian people. We demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages, including the return of those who died in captivity, and are appalled by reports of violence and sexual abuse.
Wood Ward stated: England stands firm in condemning these heinous actions. The best way to free the hostages is to make a deal.
The British ambassador added: We also call on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza through all crossings immediately and to ensure that there is no conflict over aid convoys and other humanitarian actions. We ask Israel to guarantee the protection of UN facilities and staff.
He continued: England is still worried about the indiscriminate firing of rockets towards Israeli population centers. These attacks must stop. We are also concerned about the continued construction of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. These settlements are illegal under international law.
The British ambassador said: We reiterate our request to Israel to immediately and completely stop all settlement activities. We condemn the violation of human rights and the incitement of violence against the Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and we are concerned about the suspension of the transfer of income of the Palestinian Authority by Israel and the suspension of banking relations. Such actions harm opportunities for peace, security and stability.
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Woodward added: A gradual and phased negotiation and temporary cessation of hostilities leading to a lasting ceasefire is the best way to ensure the release of the hostages and allow for a significant increase in humanitarian aid and lead to a permanent settlement.
The British Ambassador to the United Nations continued: There is now an agreement on the table, which has been approved by this Council in Resolution 2735. It is the responsibility of Hamas to accept it and end the suffering of the Palestinian people and the remaining hostages.
US President Joe Biden announced on the eve of the election on November 5 this year that Israel presented a new proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, which was presented to Hamas through Qatar, and asked the parties not to miss this opportunity and over this proposal come to an agreement
Following Biden’s plan, the resolution proposed by the United States to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and release prisoners was approved with 14 positive votes and one abstention (Russia) and without any dissenting votes at the meeting of the UN Security Council on June 10, 2024.
The approval of this resolution came while during the past eight months, the United States, with its firm support for Israel, prevented the approval of any resolution establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and condemning Hamas for the military operation of Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7, 2023, and working with Israel to defeat this movement.
It is stated in Security Council Resolution 2735, which has seven clauses, that the resolution proposed by the United States recalls all relevant resolutions regarding the situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine. And it emphasizes the importance of the continuous diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States with the aim of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire agreement including three stages.
This resolution notes that the implementation of this proposal can have the following results in three stages.
- A) Phase 1: An immediate ceasefire, complete with the release of hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded, the return of the bodies of some of the dead hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israelis from the populated areas of Gaza. The return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north, as well as the safe and effective distribution of large-scale humanitarian aid throughout the Gaza Strip.
(B) Step 2: By mutual agreement, a permanent end to hostilities, in exchange for the release of all hostages still in Gaza, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
(C) Step 3: Initiate a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and return the bodies of all dead hostages still in Gaza to their families.
The approved resolution emphasizes the importance of the parties adhering to the terms of this proposal after the agreement and asks all member states and the United Nations to support its implementation.
The resolution rejects any attempt to make demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip, including any measures that reduce the territory of Gaza.