Hamas accepts UN Security Council resolution to stop the war in Gaza
Hamas announced its acceptance of the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza, and senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters news agency that the group is ready to negotiate.
Abu Zuhri explained that Hamas agrees with the resolution regarding the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the exchange of Israeli hostages, detainees and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Hamas' statement in support of the UN Security Council resolution "a hopeful sign."
Blinken said the most important thing is the position of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed during their meeting on Monday that he is committed to the US proposal presented by President Joe Biden ten days ago.
Blinken explained that talks on post-Gaza ceasefire plans will continue over the next two days, saying that "it is essential that we have these plans."
Reactions in favor of the decision
Reactions in favor of the resolution continue to pour in. Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN Security Council's adoption of the US-sponsored draft resolution on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a hostage swap deal.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of the commitment of all parties to the crisis to end the protracted war, and reiterated its support for all international efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire and resolve the Palestinian issue in accordance with international resolutions, which contributes to the stability of the region and supports the achievement of international peace and security.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry emphasized that the adoption of this resolution is an important pivotal step towards stopping what it called "the systematic Israeli aggression" against the Gaza Strip and civilians, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities to ensure the implementation of its provisions.
What are the three stages of the decision?
On Monday evening, the UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution drafted by Washington calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The resolution was adopted with 14 countries voting in favor, while Russia abstained.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. delegate to the Security Council, said the U.S. proposal includes a cease-fire that would last as long as negotiations continue.
She explained the three phases of the agreement, beginning by detailing the first phase included in the US decision, which is an immediate and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages, including women and the elderly, and the return of the remains of some of the hostages.
The second phase involves a permanent cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of all Israeli hostages still in Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip.
During the third phase, a major multi-year reconstruction plan will begin and the return of the remains of any deceased Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
The Security Council resolution, adopted on Monday, opposes "any attempt to change the demographic composition" of the Gaza Strip, "including any measure that would reduce" the territory of the Strip.
International Conference on Emergency Humanitarian Response in Gaza
Meanwhile, the Gaza Emergency Humanitarian Response Conference kicked off on Tuesday at the Dead Sea in Jordan, jointly organized by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United Nations.
The conference will discuss "preparations for early recovery and seek commitments for a collective and coordinated response to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza," a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said.
King Abdullah II of Jordan stressed the importance of translating the outcomes of the emergency humanitarian response conference in Gaza on the ground to unify humanitarian response efforts and activate them to the required level.
During his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on the sidelines of the conference, King Abdullah stressed the need to address the obstacles to the adequate and urgent delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages and detainees, and no targeting of infrastructure or UN representatives.
Sisi also demanded that Israel end the siege and stop using the weapon of starvation, remove all obstacles to the immediate delivery of aid to Gaza through all crossings, and immediately withdraw Israel from the Palestinian city of Rafah, warning of the serious repercussions of the military actions in Rafah.
He called for full support for UNRWA to provide safe haven and assistance to Palestinians.
BBC
