Greater consensus on ceasefire in Gaza

Sheet The Guardian On March 25.3, it was reported that the UN Security Council had just voted to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after 14 members voted in favor and the US abstained. The resolution was drafted by the 10 elected members of the council and proposed by the representative of Mozambique. Russia wanted to retain the draft resolution that included the word “permanent,” but was unsuccessful.

On the same day, March 25.3, Al Jazeera quoted UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as saying he witnessed a growing consensus in the international community to call on Israel to cease fire in the Gaza Strip. “There is also a growing consensus to make it clear to Israel that any ground attack on the city of Rafah would mean a catastrophic humanitarian disaster,” he said at a press conference in the city. .Amman (Jordan) on a trip to the Middle East to seek a solution to the crisis in Gaza.

Signal from Tel Aviv

Thanks to efforts from intermediary countries, the parties have strengthened negotiations on a possible 6-week ceasefire in Gaza, in exchange for the release of 40 of the 130 hostages held by Hamas. According to Reuters, Israel appears open to letting some Palestinians return to northern Gaza. Channel 12, citing sources, said Israel proposed allowing 2.000 people to return to northern Gaza, starting two weeks after an agreement takes effect and a ceasefire begins.

Hamas wants any agreement to include a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops. However, Israel rejected and said it would resume efforts to eliminate Hamas's control and military capabilities in Gaza. Hamas also wants Palestinians who evacuated from northern Gaza to be able to return. Initially, Israel refused, but an Israeli official said this position was softened at the negotiations in Qatar that ended on March 24.3. “We are now ready to discuss letting some evacuees return,” according to the anonymous official. Israeli media reported that this proposal may only include women and children, to prevent Hamas gunmen from blending in. The official said Israel also agreed in principle to the release of about 700-800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 hostages.

In another development, the UN Security Council (headquartered in New York City, New York State, USA) on March 25.3 (local time) voted on a new draft resolution with the content of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. . Another previous draft was not approved because Russia and China vetoed it on the grounds that it did not clearly require Israel to stop the campaign.

Fear of famine

Meanwhile, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini said Israel had indefinitely blocked the agency's distribution of aid in northern Gaza, where an estimated 250.000 people remain. at the highest risk of famine. “Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli government has just informed the UN that it will not accept any more UNRWA food convoys to the north,” according to AFP. Mr. Lazzarini. He criticized that it was “excessive and deliberately hindered relief” in the man-made famine. Israel did not immediately respond to a request for related comment.

UNRWA communications director Juliette Touma said the agency has been unable to provide food in northern Gaza since January 29.1. Israel accused some UNRWA employees of participating in the attack on Israeli territory on October 7.10.2023, 2,4 and called the agency a front for Hamas, although UNRWA denied it. According to Ms. Touma, Israel's latest decision "is a nail in the coffin" for efforts to deliver much-needed aid to the people of Gaza. Previously, Mr. Guterres called for an end to the "unending nightmare" of XNUMX million Gazans in the worst war in this strip of land.