Indonesian Foreign Minister Regrets There Is No Pressure On Ceasefire In UN DK Resolution

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi gave a statement at a media meeting in Jakarta, Wednesday (12/27/2023). (ANTARA/Shofi Ayudiana)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi admitted that she regretted that there was no pressure on a ceasefire within the resolution of the United Nations Security Council (DK PBB) which was passed on December 22.

In fact, according to Retno, a ceasefire is one of the important elements needed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"We'll see if this resolution can make a difference or repair in the field," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 27.

Retno stated that Indonesia together with Islamic Cooperation Organization (OKI) countries will continue to strive to overcome the ongoing situation in Gaza.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding that all parties take urgent measures to open wider, safe and unobstructed humanitarian access to Gaza.

After tough negotiations and postponed several times, the resolution submitted by the United Arab Emirates was passed after being supported by 13 countries, 0 rejecting, while the United States and Russia, both permanent members of the UN DK, chose abstain.

The resolution also demands that parties in conflict allow and open all routes to and from the entire Gaza Strip, including border gates, to ensure humanitarian staff and aid are distributed to civilians in need.

However, many consider the resolution to be insufficient because it does not call for a ceasefire, which is the main step that can protect civilian life in a sustainable manner and allow aid to be distributed to all in need.

Relief deliveries to the Gaza Strip have been hampered because Israel imposed security checks on aid trucks that would enter the trapped Palestinian enclave.

The United Nations on Tuesday (26/12) announced the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the humanitarian coordinator for Gaza, which will be tasked with facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and checking humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.

The Dutch Finance Minister will also establish a UN mechanism to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through countries that are not parties to the conflict.