Morocco Upholds Unwavering Stance for Cessation of Gaza Hostilities

Thursday 23 May 2024 - 10:00

In a resolute display of diplomacy, Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, vehemently reaffirmed the Kingdom's call for an immediate, durable, and verifiable ceasefire in Gaza. His remarks echoed Morocco's unwavering stance against the harrowing atrocities perpetrated by Israeli forces, which have claimed the lives of countless civilians in the besieged enclave.

Delivering his powerful address during an open debate held on Tuesday at the UN Security Council, where he co-chaired the Group of Friends (GoF) of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), Hilale underscored the paramount importance of safeguarding civilian populations through conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes, in strict adherence to international law.

The poignant debate commemorated the 25th anniversary of Resolution 12665, a landmark resolution aimed at ensuring the protection of civilians as a crucial component of international peace and security. Additionally, the event paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which enshrine the principles governing the protection of civilians in times of war.

In his impassioned speech, Hilale invoked Morocco's unwavering position against Israel's devastating onslaught on Gaza, emphasizing the imperative of upholding the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers through the lens of international law. He further underscored the pressing need for the release of all prisoners and detainees.

Hilale unequivocally rejected the imposition of a new reality in the Gaza Strip, as well as any attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinians. He also condemned the looming threat of expanding military operations to encompass the entire region, including Rafah.

"The Kingdom of Morocco insists on the necessity of opening a political perspective on the Palestinian issue, enabling the revival of the two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital," the ambassador declared with conviction.

Echoing Morocco's steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause, King Mohammed VI reiterated the Kingdom's concerns during the 33rd Summit of the League of Arab States in Manama last week. In his address, the monarch unequivocally condemned the "blatant Israeli aggression in Gaza," asserting that such actions only "enhance our determination to make sure the Palestinian issue remains at the core of efforts to establish a just and lasting peace in the Middle East."

Through its unwavering diplomatic efforts, Morocco remains steadfast in its pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict, upholding the principles of international law and championing the rights of the Palestinian people.