Security Council Calls for Full Respect of International Humanitarian Law
The Security Council
expressed its grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation
in the Middle East as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the
loss of civilian lives and casualties.
The 15-member body, in a
presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/13) on the situation in the Middle
East, expressed strong support for the call by international partners
and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate and
unconditional humanitarian ceasefire.
The Council welcomed
efforts of international partners and the convening of the international
meeting to support the ceasefire recently held in Paris, emphasizing
that civilian and humanitarian facilities, including those of the United
Nations, had to be respected and protected.
Calling for full
implementation of resolution 1860 (2009), the Security Council urged the
parties and the international community to achieve a comprehensive
peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic States,
Israel and Palestine, lived side by side, as envisioned in
resolution 1850 (2008).
The meeting began at 12:02 a.m. and ended at 12:11 a.m.
Presidential Statement
The text of Security Councilpresidential statement S/PRST/2014/13 reads as follows:...
“The Security Council
expresses grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a
result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives
and casualties.
“The Security Council
calls for full respect of international humanitarian law, including the
protection of civilian population, and reiterates the need to take
appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and
their protection.
“The Security Council
expresses strong support for the call by international partners and the
Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate and
unconditional humanitarian ceasefire, allowing for the delivery of
urgently needed assistance, and they urged all parties to accept and
fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid
period and beyond. The Security Council commends the efforts of the
Secretary-General of the United Nations and the US Secretary of State
John Kerry for their efforts in this regard.
“The Security Council also
calls on parties to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully
respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative. In this regard,
the Security Council welcomes the efforts of international partners and
the convening of the international meeting to support the ceasefire held
in Paris on 26 July 2014 and urges all concerned regional and
international parties to vigorously support efforts to consolidate an
agreement between the parties.
“The Security Council
emphasizes that civilian and humanitarian facilities, including those of
the UN, must be respected and protected, and called on all parties to
act consistently with this principle.
“The Security Council
calls for the full implementation of resolution 1860 (2009) and stressed
the need for immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to the
Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip, including through
urgent additional contribution to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). The Security Council
recognizes and commends the vital role played by the Agency, along with
other United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, in
addressing the critical humanitarian needs in Gaza.
“The Security Council
urges the parties and the international community to achieve a
comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic
States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure
and recognized borders as envisioned in Security Council
resolution 1850 (2008).