Vietnam requests implementation of a resolution recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that demands an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.

Spokeswoman of the ministry Pham Thu Hang said at a press meeting the same day that Vietnam welcomed Resolution 2728, approved by the UNSC on March 25, which targets a prompt ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian Hamas group in the region.

Hang called on all relevant sides to abide by the resolution to realize a long-term and sustainable ceasefire, promoting humanitarian aid and protecting civilians and civil infrastructure in Gaza.

“Vietnam supports the international community’s efforts in urging the parties to exercise restraint, hold dialogues and resolve disagreements through peaceful means and based on international law and the UNSC’s related resolutions so as to achieve a fair, satisfactory and long-lasting solution to the Middle East peace process,” the diplomat stressed.

The resolution was approved with 14 out of 15 votes from the permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC. 

The remaining vote was an abstention from the U.S., one of the five UN permanent members with veto power.

Besides a substantive ceasefire, the resolution asked both Israel and Palestinian Hamas group to unconditionally release all hostages.

The document also emphasizes the urgent need to expand humanitarian assistance and strengthen the protection of civilians across the Gaza Strip, and calls for a removal of all barriers to humanitarian assistance activities.

Considered a groundbreaking step for the Gaza conflict, Resolution 2728 was initiated by 10 non-permanent members and intensely negotiated before being brought for voting.

Vietnam has repeatedly called for an end of violence in Gaza and strongly condemned attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure in the region since the fighting between Israel and Hamas forces broke out in October 2023.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry has recently chaired meetings focusing on safeguarding life and property of Vietnamese citizens in conflict areas, considering it one of the current priorities of the government.

According to statistics from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 32,333 Palestinians have been killed and 74,694 others injured since the beginning of the bloody conflict. 

Approximately one third of those killed were Hamas militants, according to Israeli Defense Forces. 

Meanwhile, Israel’s data shows that the fighting has killed 1,160 Israelis, mostly civilians. 

Aid being improperly distributed amidst the prolonged conflict has put the strip on the brink of humanitarian disaster.

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