Russia Says Humanitarian Pause in Gaza Cannot Replace Ceasefire, Palestinian Envoy: This Madness Must End

Voting on the Gaza crisis resolution at UN DK. (Twitter/@UN_News_Centre)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian and Russian envoys to the United Nations assess that a ceasefire is needed in the current war in Gaza, not just a humanitarian pause as called for by the Security Council resolution.

Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said the Security Council should heed the calls of the UN and humanitarian organizations around the world calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, convinced that there is no military solution.

He explained that what is happening now will have a long-term impact that no one should underestimate.

"This is a huge humanitarian failure," he said, according to the UN website November 16.

"But for now, the urgency is to save lives. Stop the killings, stop forced displacement, allow humanitarian aid in and ensure humanitarian access, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said.

He further said that Israel's plans had been revealed in statements, leaked memos and opinions regarding the crisis in Gaza.

"Let's stop pretending we don't hear what the government is saying. Its plan is the continual dispossession, expulsion and denial of the rights of the Palestinian people. To perfect the Nakba," he said.

Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour. (Source: UN News)

"This madness must end. It is time for peace," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya believes that a humanitarian pause cannot replace a ceasefire.

He explained that sending humanitarian aid to Gaza was very important, especially considering the worsening situation on the ground, with reduced fuel supplies and Israeli military operations, including the raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

"A humanitarian pause cannot replace a ceasefire or truce," Nebenzya said.

Related to this, he also asked who would monitor safe corridors and protect civilians in the field.

"The council needs to make decisions regarding further steps, including what observers will be sent to the conflict areas and which UN contingents will be involved," he explained.

"We will not allow this problem to be swept under the rug," stressed Nebenzya.

As previously reported, the UN Security Council succeeded in agreeing on the first resolution regarding the crisis in Gaza, after four previous attempts to submit a resolution failed.

Resolution 2712 proposed by Malta calls for a humanitarian pause in the war in Gaza, the release of hostages, especially children, and the granting of access to humanitarian aid. It is supported by 12 member countries (Albania, Brazil, China, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and the UAE). Meanwhile the United States, Britain and Russia abstained.