UN Security Council For The First Time Demands Immediate Ceasefire In Gaza, US Abstains

The United Nations Security Council resolution has demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.

People mourn as they receive the dead bodies of victims of an Israeli strike on March 25, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza.

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The United Nations Security Council achieved a significant breakthrough on Monday by passing a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramzan. This development comes after more than five months since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, was adopted with overwhelming support, with 14 nations voting in favour and none against, while the United States abstained, news agency PTI reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the urgency of the resolution, stating, "The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable."

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the significance of the ceasefire during Ramzan, urging Hamas to accept the deal on the table. She emphasised that the release of hostages is essential for the ceasefire to commence, stating, "A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage."

She also reiterated the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to secure a sustainable ceasefire and alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, PTI reported.

UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward affirmed her country's support for the resolution, emphasising the urgent need for a humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire. She regretted that the resolution did not condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 but welcomed the demand for the unconditional release of all hostages, as per PTI's report

Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, called on Israel to respond to the resolution by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and ending the unlawful attacks. He also urged Palestinian armed groups to release all civilians held hostage.

Quoting Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, news agency Reuters reported, "The Palestinian people has suffered greatly. This bloodbath has continued for far too long. It is our obligation to put an end to this bloodbath, before it is too late."

Following the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled the diplomatic delegation's visit to Washington, reported news agency AP.

Ahead of the council meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reportedly threatened to cancel a planned delegation to Washington if the U.S. did not veto the resolution. However, the U.S. abstained from the vote amid mounting global pressure for a truce in the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, according to Reuters.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated, "The United States support for these objectives is not simply rhetorical. We're working around the clock to make them real on the ground through diplomacy, because we know that it is only through diplomacy that we can push this agenda forward."

UN Resolution Urges Humanitarian Assitance In Gaza Strip

The resolution also stressed the urgent need to enhance humanitarian assistance and reinforce the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the demand for the lifting of all barriers to humanitarian aid provision, Reuters' report stated.

The U.S. decision to abstain from the vote came as it did not entirely agree with the resolution, particularly the absence of a condemnation of Hamas. This move marked a departure from previous instances where the U.S. had used its veto power to shield Israel from similar resolutions.

The conflict in Gaza erupted following Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, leading to extensive casualties on both sides. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, thousands of Palestinians and Israelis have been killed or injured since the conflict began.