INDIA has termed the UN Security Council resolution that demanded immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramzan a “positive step,” asserting that the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is “simply unacceptable.” “We are deeply troubled by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has deepened and instability has been increasing in the region and beyond,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, told a UN General Assembly meeting here on Monday. She said India views the adoption of a resolution on March 25 by the UN Security Council “as a positive step.”. Kamboj said the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children.

 

“The resulting humanitarian crisis is simply unacceptable,” she said, adding that Delhi has strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict and it is imperative to avoid the loss of civilian lives in any conflict situation. The UNSC resolution, adopted last month, demanded an “immediate ceasefire” for the month of Ramzan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire. It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as the humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. The adoption of the resolution had come as a breakthrough in the Israel-Hamas conflict which had been on for more than five months then.

 

The 15-nation Council adopted the resolution, put forth by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, with 14 nations voting in favour, none against, and an abstention by the US, a permanent member. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had said that the “long-awaited” resolution on Gaza must be implemented. “Failure would be unforgivable.” However, on March 22, just three days before the Council adopted the resolution, permanent members Russia and China vetoed a different resolution on Gaza tabled by the US.