UN passes resolution on Gaza

UN passes resolution on Gaza

Arab delegates pushed for the vote to be held quickly, objecting to a further 24-hour delay [AFP] The United Nations Security Council in New York has passed a resolution calling for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" in Gaza. The resolution passed with 14 votes in favour and only the US abstaining. Drafted by the US, UK and France in consultation with Arab leaders, it urges a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, but does not give a timeframe. Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said he was "heartened and relieved" by the passing of the resolution. The move comes as the Israeli offensive in Gaza enters it 14th day and follows days of diplomatic activity at the UN over the crisis. IN DEPTH Latest news and analysis from Gaza and Israel Track the war and submit your own reports Send us your views and eyewitness videos Watch our coverage of the war on Gaza The UN chief, who will visit the Middle East next week for talks on the crisis, said the UN "stands ready" and that a ceasefire would be a "first step", but that "a political way forward is required to deliver long-term security and peace". Al Jazeera's Ghida Fakhry, reporting from the UN, said the resolution was only a partial victory for Arab leaders, who succeeded in pushing through a resolution when the US and other nations were keener on issuing a non-binding "presidential statement". But they were also frustrated that an earlier Libya proposal was abandoned in favour for the US, UK and France resolution, our correspondent added. The resolution "stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza". It also calls for an opening of the Gaza crossings but does not offer a time frame for a withdrawal, our correspondent said. It condemns all violence directed against civilians and all acts of "terrorism", but there is no specific condemnation of Israel's offensive and no mention of Hamas rocket fire. And though the resolution is legally binding, it does not have any enforcement mechanism, and Israel has ignored dozens of UN resolutions over the years, our correspondent said. It was also unclear whether Hamas would accept a text which does not mention the lifting of Israel's 18-month blockade on Gaza, which it has demanded, she added. Delay rejected Al Jazeera understands that the French delegation had asked for another 24 hours to work out the draft resolution, drawing a furious response from the Saudi delegation, who said that they would not wait any longer as civilians were dying by the minute. An agreement was finally reached after Arab foreign ministers made some amendments to the draft sponsored by the US, UK and France, allowing them to get on board with the draft and drop their bid to support another draft resolution sponsored by Libya. Libya, currently the only Arab nation serving as a non-permanent member of the security council, had been urging council members to back its own version of a resolution, although the US had blocked an earlier Libyan draft that Washington and its allies saw as being anti-Israeli. More than 763 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 200 children, since the Israeli offensive began on December 27. More than 3,121 people have also been wounded. Eight Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died in the same period.Al Jazeera TV,Doha

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