Proposal for immediate ceasefire in Gaza passed in UNSC, 14 countries voted in favor while US abstained

The United Nations Security Council on Monday demanded for the first time an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that has been going on for more than five months. Meanwhile, Israel’s ally the United States, which had vetoed the previous draft, did not participate in it. There was a demand for an immediate ceasefire for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan. In this, all 14 other members of the Security Council voted in favor of that proposal.

The resolution called for permanent and sustainable ceasefire measures, as well as the release of hostages captured by Hamas and other militants on October 7. Russia objected to the removal of the word “permanent” ceasefire at the last minute and called a vote, which failed to pass.

The successful resolution was drafted in part by Algeria, a current member of the Arab bloc in the Security Council, and joined by other countries, including Slovenia and Switzerland.

The United States has vetoed previous efforts for a ceasefire, but has also shown growing frustration with Israel, including over its announced plan to expand its military operation into the crowded southern city of Rafah.

The United States’ stance towards its Middle Eastern ally was seen changing on Friday, when a resolution was tabled recognizing the ‘imperativeness’ of an ‘immediate and sustained ceasefire’.

However, Russia and China blocked it, and along with Arab countries criticized it for not meeting Israel’s clear demand to stop its operations in Gaza.

The United States had repeatedly blocked ceasefire proposals because it sought to walk a line between supporting Israel with military aid and expressing frustration with leader Benjamin Netanyahu over the rising number of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. was trying.

The new resolution’s call for a ceasefire is not directly linked to talks led by Qatar, with the support of the United States and Egypt, to end fighting in exchange for Hamas releasing hostages. Israel has criticized the Security Council for past resolutions that have not specifically condemned Hamas.

According to Israeli data, about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the October 7 attack by a Palestinian terrorist group on Israel. The militants also captured 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes about 130 are still held in Gaza, 33 of whom are believed dead.

Israel’s military campaign to eliminate Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run area.

The Security Council has been divided over the Israel-Hamas war since the October 7 attacks, approving only two of eight resolutions, both of which relate primarily to humanitarian aid. And those proposals appear to have had little impact on the ground.

UN personnel say Israel blocks aid convoys, while experts report severe shortages of food, medicine and medical facilities there.