The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has issued a demand for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as the release of all Israeli hostages.
The United States notably abstained from the vote, while the remaining 14 council members voted in favor of the resolution, which was put forward by the 10 elected members of the council.
The resolution urges an immediate ceasefire to coincide with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which concludes in two weeks, and calls for the release of all hostages captured on October 7.
“The bloodbath has continued for far too long,” declared Amar Bendjama, the ambassador from Algeria, representing the Arab bloc’s current Security Council member and a sponsor of the resolution. “Finally, the Security Council is shouldering its responsibility.”
The White House clarified that the final resolution lacked language the US considers crucial and that its abstention does not signify a policy shift.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office viewed the US’s non vetoing the resolution as a “clear retreat” from its previous stance, warning it could ‘undermine war efforts against Hamas and hinder attempts to free Israeli captives’ in Gaza.
In response to the new US position, Netanyahu has opted not to send a high-level delegation to Washington, DC.
“We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington, DC, to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah,” a US official told reporters.
According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 32,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed in the Israeli assault since October 7.
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