Pakistan 'deeply disappointed' after UNSC fails to agree on Gaza ceasefire

• Pakistan calls for immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
• UNCS has failed to perform its primary responsibility, says FO.
• Islamabad says collective punishment of Gazans unacceptable.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday expressed deep disappointment that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has once again failed to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, even in the face of a human tragedy of epic proportions taking place in the besieged enclave.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “Despite the invocation of Article-99 of the UN Charter by the Secretary-General and his warnings of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the UNCS has failed to perform its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security.”

"The collective punishment endured by the besieged people of Gaza is unprecedented and unacceptable,” the FO added as the world slammed Washington’s move.

Pakistan reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and asked Israel to end its barbaric attacks and inhumane siege against Gaza.

“We urge the UN Security Council to act now, end this inhuman war and protect the people of Gaza from an impending genocide.”

The FO said that the continuation of Israel’s campaign in occupied Palestine would prolong human suffering, with massive civilian casualties and forced displacement of millions of people.

“It could also trigger a wider and more dangerous conflict. A heavy responsibility rested on all who have contributed to the prolongation of the uninterrupted bombing of the people of Gaza.”

UNSC vote

On Friday, the US vetoed the resolution that would have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Washington wielding its veto dashed a growing clamour for an immediate ceasefire that had been led by UN Chief Antonio Guterres and Arab nations.

Guterres had convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after weeks of fighting left more than 17,487 people dead in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the health ministry in Gaza.

"The United Arab Emirates is deeply disappointed," said the representative of the UAE who had sponsored the resolution calling for a ceasefire.

"Regrettably... this council is unable to demand a humanitarian ceasefire."

Washington defended its veto, and attacked the resolution's sponsors, criticising them for rushing it through and leaving the call for an unconditional ceasefire unchanged.

"This resolution still contains a call for an unconditional ceasefire... it would leave Hamas in place able to repeat what it did on October 7," said US deputy UN representative Robert Wood.

As a permanent Security Council member, Washington can veto any resolution, while Britain, also a member, abstained on the vote.

Ahead of the vote, Guterres had said that "the brutality perpetrated by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people."