The UN security council has today demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan after four previous ceasefire attempts were vetoed by the United States, Russia and China.
The resolution, which also called for a release of all hostages taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas during its October 7 attack, passed 14-0, with the US abstaining from the vote.
The adopted text demands “an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire”.
It demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as “ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a planned visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in protest after accusing the US of “retreating” from its “principled position” of advocating for a ceasefire conditioned on the release of the hostages.
The Israeli delegation had been due to travel to Washington to discuss plans for upcoming operations in Rafah, in the south of Gaza.
Today’s resolution demands the release of the remaining hostages but does not make it a condition for the ceasefire.
The US has previously been against the use of the ‘ceasefire’ throughout the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and used its veto power at the Security Council to protect its long-time ally, Israel. However, growing global pressure has seen the US shift its position such that it abstained from today’s vote.
The resolution also emphasises the “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip”.
Tensions between President Biden’s administration and Netanyahu are high as US efforts to prevent the potential invasion of Rafah are rejected by the Israeli PM. Rafah has been the main point of refuge for about half of Gaza’s 2.1 million population, with many people arriving there after fleeing the heavy fighting in the Strip’s north.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that the US has been “consistent” in its support for a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal and that the reason they abstained is because “this resolution text did not condemn Hamas”.