Saudi Arabia applauds UN Security Council’s call for humanitarian truce in Gaza

Saudi Arabia has expressed its approval of the recent UN Security Council resolution, which holds parties involved in the Gaza conflict accountable for violations of international law.

The resolution, passed on Wednesday, urgently advocates for a humanitarian truce spanning multiple days to alleviate the suffering of civilians, particularly vulnerable children, in the besieged enclave.

The Kingdom sees this resolution as an initial step in the right direction, urging the international community to fulfill its obligations. Saudi Arabia called for an immediate cessation of military operations while stressing the importance of holding occupying forces responsible for their clear breaches of legal and humanitarian norms.

The draft resolution, championed by Malta, received support from twelve countries, with notable abstentions from the US, the UK, and Russia. Alongside the call for urgent humanitarian measures, the resolution underscores the release of all hostages and stresses compliance with international law, especially humanitarian laws safeguarding civilians, particularly children.

Emphasizing the essential services required for survival, the resolution urges parties to refrain from denying Gaza’s civilian population humanitarian assistance, in accordance with international humanitarian law. It highlights the critical role of coordination, humanitarian notification, and deconfliction mechanisms to protect medical and humanitarian personnel, vehicles, and vital infrastructure, including UN facilities.

Moreover, the resolution assigns Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the task of orally reporting on the implementation of the resolution at the next mandated Security Council meeting focused on the Middle East situation. This marks a pivotal moment in international efforts to address the ongoing crisis and provide much-needed relief to the affected population.