The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) made a historic move on Monday by adopting a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan.
With 14 votes in favor out of the 15-member council, this resolution marks the first time the UNSC has explicitly called for a ceasefire in Gaza following the intense surge in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that began on October 7, 2023.
The United States, which had previously vetoed three draft resolutions advocating for a ceasefire, chose to abstain from voting this time, thereby allowing the resolution to pass.
Hamas welcomed the resolution, urging the Security Council to pressure Israel into ceasing what it termed a \"war of extermination\" against the Palestinian people. In its statement, Hamas expressed readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process, emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire, and demanded the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
In response to the U.S. abstention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the cancellation of a planned visit to Washington by a senior Israeli delegation. Netanyahu criticized the U.S. for \"retreating\" from a \"principled position,\" arguing that the resolution passed without linking the ceasefire to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
This resolution represents a significant development in the ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and highlights the international community's response to the conflict during a period of religious significance.
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UNSC passes resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza for Ramadan
cgtn.com
