Following a United Nations Security Council session convened to address the “catastrophic situation” in Gaza after nearly six months of conflict, France has commenced extensive consultations on a “comprehensive” resolution.
The proposed resolution calls for “immediate” actions including a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the territory, alongside taking “irreversible decisive steps” towards the establishment of a Palestinian state.
However, the draft resolution, a copy of which was obtained by “Al Sharq Al Awsat”, also vehemently denounces Hamas as a “terrorist organization” for its, along with other groups’, October 7 attack on Israeli settlements and kibbutzim.
It advocates for the “activation” of the Palestinian Authority to prepare for regaining control over Gaza, suggesting a potential role for the United Nations in monitoring the ceasefire.
At the outset of the meeting, which France called for, France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere, described Gaza’s situation as “catastrophic.”
He urged for the “full and immediate implementation of Resolution 2728”, issued last week by the Security Council at the initiative of its ten non-permanent member states.
De Riviere emphasized France’s belief that “the Security Council must rise to its responsibilities” also regarding Resolutions 2712 and 2720 to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
The resolution draft presented by France was informed by consultations with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel.
Distributed to the rest of the Security Council members coinciding with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Paris, it calls for an “immediate ceasefire that ensures the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as the extensive delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza.”
It also demands the “immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas and other terrorist groups,” ensuring the immediate access to humanitarian aid, safety, well-being, and humane treatment of the hostages.
Differing from the previous three resolutions, this draft, consisting of a preamble with thirteen introductory paragraphs and fourteen operative paragraphs, “condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks launched by Hamas and other terrorist groups” starting from October 7, 2023.
It also condemns “sexual violence, including rape used as a weapon of war by Hamas and other terrorist groups,” demanding that “such crimes must not go unpunished.”
