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Hamas welcomes UNSC resolution, expresses readiness for exchange deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Hamas Media Office
25 Mar 2024 19:10
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The Islamic Resistance Movement releases a statement on the recent UNSC call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the holy month of Ramadan

Members of Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades wave the movement's flags during a protest against the aggressive Middle East plan announced by then United States President Donald Trump, in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip, Palestine, on February 14, 2020. (AP)

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s call today for an immediate ceasefire, in a statement released on Monday.

"We stress the necessity of reaching a permanent ceasefire that leads to the withdrawal of all Zionist (Israeli occupation) forces from the Gaza Strip and the return of the displaced [Palestinians] to the homes they were forced out of," the movement emphasized.

"We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of both sides’ detainees and captives," Hamas said.

"We call on the Security Council to pressure the occupation to adhere to the ceasefire and stop the war of genocide and ethnic cleansing against our people," the Resistance movement affirmed.

Hamas reiterated the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital. It also underlined the Palestinian people's right to return to their homeland and their right to self-determination, as stipulated in international decisions and international law.

The Islamic Resistance Movement underlined the need to protect the freedom of movement for all Palestinian citizens, as well as the movement of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, including heavy equipment to be used for rescue and recovery missions for thousands who remain under the rubble created by Israeli bombs.

Hamas also expressed its gratitude for the efforts of Algeria and all other members of the UNSC who stood by the Palestinian people and worked on stopping the aggression on Gaza.

UNSC adopts ceasefire resolution

Following the United States' abstention from the vote, the UNSC requested an immediate ceasefire between the Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Resistance, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all captives.

The resolution was sponsored by the body's ten elected members, and the remaining 14 council members voted for it.

Algeria's UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama expressed after the vote that the Palestinians have "suffered greatly", citing that the "bloodbath has continued for far too long."

Washington has repeatedly opposed the term "ceasefire", and it used its veto authority to defend its ally for its war on Gaza, which has killed over 32,000 Palestinians and injured over 74,694.