On 25 March, 2024 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, the urgent release of hostages, and humanitarian access to Gaza. This is the fifth attempt by the Security Council to pass a resolution on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; three previous attempts were vetoed by the United States, who abstained on this occasion.
Nobel Women’s Initiative commends the Security Council for passing this much needed, and much overdue, resolution. However, the resolution does not go far enough.
A ceasefire for the remainder of Ramadan will provide respite from the deadly conflict, but a permanent ceasefire is of utmost importance. At least 30,000 people, the vast majority of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war. Over 70% of homes have been destroyed, and over 85% of the population has been displaced. There is no electricity, very little fuel and water, and food is running out, with the risk of famine being “imminent” according to UN officials. Only a permanent ceasefire can bring an end to this devastation.
Efforts are also needed to ensure a right of return for the millions of displaced Palestinians.
Additionally, the resolution makes no mention of the effects of the war on women. The use of rape and sexual assault as a weapon of war by both Hamas and Israeli Defence Forces has been widely reported. This is a war crime and crime against humanity; it needs to be recognized and tackled. Women need to be included in all levels of decision-making and peacebuilding to ensure accountability and sustainable peace.
We join UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in emphasizing the urgency of implementation of this resolution to ensure that civilians are protected, access to crucial humanitarian support is restored, and hostages can return to their homes. Moreover, we urge The UN Security Council, which has primary responsibility for ensuring international peace and security, to take steps to ensure the temporary ceasefire becomes a permanent one, that displaced civilians have a right to return to their homes, and that women’s voices are heard and meaningfully included.
Lastly, Nobel Women’s Initiative reminds the international community that in addition to Resolution 2728, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2724 at the beginning of March calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan during Ramadan. This has yet to be implemented. We urge all UN Security Council member states, and the international community, to take all possible steps to ensure both resolutions are implemented and international law is upheld.
The image used in this statement was taken by badwanart0 from Pixabay.
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Daina Ruduša
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Nobel Women’s Initiative
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