Qatar Calls For Implementation Of UN Security Council Resolution On Gaza Cease-Fire

Qatar's Foreign Ministry welcomed a UN Security Council resolution on Monday demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, urging its implementation.

In a statement cited by the official Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ministry said the resolution "represents a step towards a permanent cessation of hostilities in the (Gaza) Strip, particularly given the dire humanitarian situation affecting civilians."

Qatar also called for "facilitating the urgent and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into all areas of the Strip and engaging positively in the ongoing negotiations" for a permanent cease-fire.

The statement stressed Qatar's ongoing mediation efforts in cooperation with its partners "to stop the war on Gaza and addressing its humanitarian repercussions."

Qatar along with Egypt and the US is mediating between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to reach an agreement for a Gaza truce and a hostage-prisoner swap.

While Israel rejected the resolution, the Palestinian side, including the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, welcomed it.

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on March 11 and is set to end on April 9.

Fourteen council members voted in favor of the resolution while the US abstained.

The resolution called for an "immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties, leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire."

It also demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs."

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Palestinian territory since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,333 Palestinians have since been killed and over 74,694 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war has pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. -