KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has lauded the UN Security Council’s move to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the month of Ramadan, leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the UN council’s vote on Resolution 2728 (2024) regarding the situation in Gaza was a significant success given that the conflict in the region had persisted for over five months.
He said Malaysia welcomed the resolution passed on March 25, 2024, which also demands unconditional ransom release and immediate unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery.
“For a long time, Malaysia has been urging the UN Security Council to fulfil its mandated responsibility to protect the Palestinian people from the atrocities of Israel, which have claimed over 32,000 lives to date.”
“The border restrictions imposed by the Israeli regime have resulted in the risk of famine and malnutrition for 2.3 million residents in Gaza,” he said.
He urged the security council to ensure that Israel fulfilled its obligations under international law.
“The UN Security Council is called upon to ensure that Israel ceases its atrocities against the Palestinian people immediately,” he said.
Mohamad said that Malaysia remained committed to advocating for the Palestinian issue and would continue efforts towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“This is to ensure that Palestine is accepted as a full member of the United Nations,” he said.
International media reported that the war in Gaza, which erupted on October 7, had resulted in over 32,000 deaths in the region.
The attacks continue unabated even as Muslims observe fasting.
Over 74,000 Palestinians are reported to have been injured in the ongoing attacks over the past five months.
The war has not only seen the majority of Gaza’s population lose their homes but also suffer from famine and a lack of basic necessities.
As many as 14 countries voted in favour of the resolution yesterday, presented by 10 elected members of the council, while the United States abstained from voting, Bernama reported.
The resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire throughout the month of Ramadan, to be respected by all parties, aiming for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire.
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.”
The resolution stipulates that the parties should comply with their obligations under international law regarding all persons they detain.
The resolution emphasises the urgent need both to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip and to reinforce the protection of civilians. It reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance on a large scale, following international humanitarian law and security council resolutions. – March 26, 2024