PH backs immediate Gaza ceasefire

THE humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands swift and unified action from the international community, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said as the Philippines supported the United Nations’ call for a ceasefire.

Manalo welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) “decisive adoption of a resolution for immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages, and unhampered humanitarian assistance in Gaza.”

“This is long overdue and must be implemented by all parties immediately,” he wrote Tuesday on X (formerly Twitter).

“The prompt implementation of the measures contained in the resolution will urgently relieve the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire and bring forth prospects for lasting peace,” Manalo said.

In a separate X post, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines welcomes the “long-awaited” UNSC resolution calling for a ceasefire. “We call for its implementation in its entirety by all parties.”

The UNSC on Monday issued its first demand for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres called for swift implementation of a ceasefire after Israel voiced anger over the resolution.

“Failure would be unforgivable,” Guterres wrote on X.

Hamas welcomed the resolution to halt fighting in Gaza while saying it was ready to negotiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

“We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides,” the militant group said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the UN vote “hurts both the war effort and the effort to release the abductees.”

“It gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our abductees,” the statement said. It also took aim at the US abstention, calling it a “clear retreat” from its earlier position.

Following the vote, the United States said a ceasefire could “only” be implemented once Hamas begins releasing hostages it still holds.

“A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

Top European Union officials welcomed the resolution, calling for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.

“Implementation of this resolution is vital for the protection of all civilians,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.