Emergency Session At United Nations
NEW YORK – The United Nations Security Council today, meeting in an emergency session just after midnight, called for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, allowing for the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.
In 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 marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan 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 26 July and urged all concerned regional and international parties to vigorously support efforts to consolidate an agreement between the parties.
Dying Mother Gives Birth
Inside this Gaza hospital, as children play in the hall, a newborn is fighting for her life.
Shayma Hussien was delivered this week from the womb of her mother, whom medics said was killed in an Israeli air strike. Doctors are keeping a close eye on the infant.
Doctor Wadja Kishia states, “The mother and father were killed. Her pregnant mother was brought here and when we checked the fetus it was alive, so the doctors did fast surgery and brought the baby out breathing. She is in serious condition. She is alive using the machines and we hope she will be better so she can be moved to her grandmother who was crying and saying that she wants to see the baby after the mother’s death.”
Israeli Military Offensive Leaves Death Trail
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.
The call by the Council echoes that made by Mr. Ban some 12 hours earlier for both the Israelis and Palestinians to extend the humanitarian ceasefire that was in effect and mostly observed until early Sunday morning.“Working closely with regional and international leaders, the Secretary-General urges all those with influence on the parties to help encourage an extension of the humanitarian ceasefire and compliance with observing it, once declared,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson.
FILES: DAILY MOTION / REUTERS
