BY JOVEN TUNGALA
The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday welcomed what it described as “long overdue” United Nations (UN) Security Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo emphasized the urgent need for all parties to implement the resolution promptly to avoid further loss of innocent lives.
“I welcome the Security Council’s decisive adoption of a resolution for immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, and unhampered humanitarian assistance in Gaza,” Manalo said.
“The humanitarian crisis demands swift & unified action from the international community. This is long overdue and must be implemented by all parties immediately,” he added.
He further said: “The prompt implementation of the measures contained in the resolution will urgently relieve the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, and bring forth prospects for lasting peace.”
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Only the United States, an ally of Israel, abstained from voting on the resolution, while the remaining 14 countries support the ceasefire.
The October 7th attack of Hamas in Israel left more than 1,400 Israelis dead, including four Filipino nationals.
The surprise attack further sparked the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, which the Israel Defense Forces Forces said is controlled by Hamas.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll among Palestinians in the ongoing conflict, which has now affected houses in Rafah, has surpassed 30,000. The majority of those killed are children and women.
