Riyadh, March 26, 2024, The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, has warmly embraced the United Nations Security Council's recent resolution, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement released by the GCC, Albudaiwi emphasized the resolution's overarching objective of securing a lasting and sustainable ceasefire, facilitating the release of all hostages, ensuring compliance with international legal obligations, and bolstering the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip while enhancing their protection.
Expressing optimism, Albudaiwi voiced his anticipation that this resolution would alleviate the dire plight endured by the people of Gaza, ultimately curbing the escalation of hostilities and safeguarding Palestinian civilians from forced displacement. His aspiration is for the resolution to mark a pivotal step towards a comprehensive resolution of the crisis, culminating in the lifting of the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, thereby ameliorating the suffering of the Palestinian populace.
Albudaiwi reiterated the imperative for the international community to shoulder its responsibility by adopting unified standards in addressing the crisis and ensuring international protection for the Palestinian people. He called for holding Israel accountable for its relentless attacks targeting innocent civilians, which have resulted in the deaths of countless individuals, predominantly women and children—a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles.
Furthermore, Albudaiwi urged immediate compliance from Israeli occupation forces with the resolution, emphasizing adherence to United Nations mandates and international humanitarian laws. He underscored the urgency of ceasing all attacks on Gaza's civilian population and vital infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and shelters.
In addition to advocating for immediate cessation of hostilities, Albudaiwi reiterated the pressing need for a comprehensive and enduring solution to the Palestinian predicament. This entails addressing the core grievances of the Palestinian people, granting them the opportunity to exercise their fundamental rights to security and self-determination. Albudaiwi stressed the importance of enabling Palestinians to establish their state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
