Friday, 9 January 2009
The U.N. Security Council called for an 'immediate, durable and fully respected' cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, 'leading to the full withdrawal' of Israeli troops from the region.
Even though the US abstained, but the resolution passed 14 to 0 from the Council. Just before the approval of the resolution Israeli Army continued its bombardments on areas on the outskirts of Gaza, the main city in the north of the coastal strip.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the US abstained 'to see the outcome of the Egyptian mediation efforts in order to see what this resolution might have been supporting'.
Until now, there was no immediate reaction from Israeli officials after the Security Council vote, but Israel had opposed the idea of a binding resolution. Israel's military commanders are keen to pursue the ground offensive and secure more gains. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, said 'Responsibility for the current hostilities lies squarely with Hamas, and the international community must focus its attention on the cessation of Hamas' terrorist activity and make clear that a terrorist organization can never be a legitimate leadership.'
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the call for a cease-fire 'must be fully respected by all parties'.
By Cenk Gence
