Pretoria – South Africa has welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution Demanding an immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
“South Africa has welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2728 (2024) by the United Nations Security Council on 25 March 2024, which demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the Holy Month of Ramadan,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in a statement.
Earlier on Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza.
There were 14 votes in favour with the United States abstaining.
Responding to the adoption of the Resolution, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor said: “South Africa is pleased that the Security Council has, at long last, demanded an immediate and lasting ceasefire for the month of Ramadan and the Resolution must also proposed that this ceasefire should lead to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.
“It is now the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that there is compliance with the resolution, which is binding on the parties.
“South Africa remains concerned that in the over five months, since the conflict began, thousands have lost their lives, including over 13 000 children.
“As Resolution 2728 notes, there is an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip”.
The statement said it was therefore vital that the parties comply with the Security Council, “demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law, as well as Resolution 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023)”.
