UNITED NATIONS: With more than 1,000 civilians, most of them women and children killed by the Israeli attacks inside Gaza, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday and called “for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire” in the occupied Gaza.

According to a presidential statement, the 15-member body expressed strong support for the call by international partners and Secretary-General

Ban Ki-moon for such a ceasefire, and urged all parties to accept and fully implement it into the Eid period and beyond.

“The Security Council also calls on parties to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative,” the statement added.

In this regard, the council welcomed the efforts of international partners and the convening of the international meeting to support the ceasefire held in Paris on July 26 and urged all concerned regional and international parties to vigorously support efforts to consolidate an agreement between the parties.

The Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which is home to 1.8 million people, has left hundreds dead and thousands injured. Over 170,000 people have been uprooted from their homes and have sought shelter in UN-run facilities.

The council expressed “grave concern” regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties.

In a statement from his spokesperson after the emergency meeting, Mr Ban welcomed the Security Council’s “strong support” for his call for a humanitarian ceasefire.

He called on all parties to prolong the suspension of fighting for an additional extendable period of 24-hours to allow vital humanitarian efforts to continue, and reiterated his demand for a durable ceasefire that could set the ground for the start of comprehensive negotiations.

Ban said that both Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility beyond ceasing the ongoing hostilities to start a serious dialogue to address the root causes of the conflict.

“That means an end to the blockade of Gaza and ultimately to the nearly half century of occupation,” he said, adding that it equally meant security for Israel.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014