The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding a cease-fire of at least 30 days across Syria that would allow humanitarian access and urgent medical evacuations.
Resolution 2401 demands an immediate cease-fire for "a durable humanitarian pause for at least 30 consecutive days throughout Syria" to enable the safe, unimpeded and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and services and medical evacuations of the critically sick and wounded.
It demands all parties engage immediately to ensure full and comprehensive implementation of the humanitarian pause.
According to the resolution, the cease-fire does not apply to military operations against the Islamic State, al-Qaida and Al Nusra Front and their associates, and other terrorist groups as designated by the Security Council.
The resolution demands that, immediately after the start of the cease-fire, all parties shall allow safe, unimpeded and sustained access each week for UN and partners' humanitarian convoys, including medical and surgical supplies, to all people in need in all parts of Syria, in particular to hard-to-reach and besieged locations.
It further demands that, immediately after the start of the cease-fire, all parties shall allow the United Nations and its implementing partners to undertake safe, unconditional medical evacuations, based on medical need and urgency.
The resolution also demands the immediate lifting of sieges on populated areas, including Eastern Ghouta, the last major rebel stronghold, which has seen heavy bombardment in the past week.
"(It) calls upon all parties to immediately lift the sieges of populated areas, including in Eastern Ghouta, Yarmouk, Foua and Kefraya, and demands that all parties allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including medical assistance, cease depriving civilians of food and medicine indispensable to their survival, and enable the rapid, safe and unhindered evacuation of all civilians who wish to leave," reads the resolution.
It warns that starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited by international humanitarian law.
The resolution reiterates its demand that all parties immediately comply with their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and ensuring the respect and protection of all medical personnel and humanitarian personnel, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities.
The resolution was adopted after two weeks of tough consultations with twists and turns at the last minute.
