By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN (AA) – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has welcomed the UN Security Council resolution for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, and called on Israel to accept the plan.
Speaking to Anadolu, Rutte said the entire world “now expects Israel to accept what they themselves proposed,” and immediately halt its military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that supports the truce proposal, with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining.
The adopted draft highlights the diplomatic efforts led by Egypt, the US and Qatar, the three countries mediating to end the war, and welcomes the proposal that US President Joe Biden announced on May 31, which he called an Israeli roadmap to end the conflict.
Rutte stressed that the cease-fire plan presented by the US in fact came from Israel itself, although Israeli leaders have not publicly supported it so far.
“I would say it’s more of an Israeli cease-fire proposal than an American one. Sometimes the Israelis are not entirely sure what they proposed, but I think in the end, it’s their proposal, which makes it even better,” Rutte said.
“I was also very happy to learn that Hamas has reacted very positively … to the UN Security Council resolution. For us now, it’s crucial to have a full cease-fire as soon as possible.”
Rutte said his message to the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to follow through on their own proposal.
Rutte also condemned Hamas’ Oct. 7. attack, reaffirming that Israel has a right to defend itself, but underlining that Tel Aviv has international obligations and should act within the realm of international law.
Since Israel launched its war on Gaza last October, it has killed nearly 37,200 Palestinians and injured almost 85,000 more, a majority of them women and children.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged enclave, where millions of Palestinians are displaced, facing famine and acute shortages of medical aid and other essentials.
The Dutch premier expressed grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Rafah, reiterating his call for an immediate cease-fire.
“Of course, we’re very worried about the situation in Rafah, because you have 1.5 million people living there, and any military operation there could involve a huge loss of life,” he said.
“Don’t forget what the International Court of Justice said, which is that the Rafah operation needs to end immediately, needs to end now. I told this also to Benjamin Netanyahu.”
Rutte added that EU countries are supporting the UN-backed Gaza cease-fire plan, and expect both Israel and Hamas to take the necessary steps for its implementation.
“The EU was not always thinking as one on this, but I think here, on this particular peace proposal, the EU is very much aligned, and in agreement,” he said.
“As far as I know, I think without any country abstaining or disagreeing, we all call on Israel and Hamas now to implement this peace proposal.”