The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution drafted by the United States that supports President Joe Biden’s proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The vote saw Russia abstain while the remaining 14 council members voted in favor. This resolution was finalized by the US on Sunday after six days of negotiations among council members.
Biden’s proposed three-phase ceasefire plan, introduced on May 31, is described as an Israeli initiative. Some members of the Security Council have questioned whether Israel has indeed accepted the plan to end the fighting in Gaza. The resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal, stating that Israel has accepted it and calls upon Hamas to do the same, urging both parties to fully implement its terms immediately and without conditions.
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US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield addressed the council before the vote, emphasizing the need for Hamas to agree to the ceasefire. “We’re waiting on Hamas to agree to the ceasefire deal it claims to want,” she said. “With every passing day, needless suffering continues.”
The resolution outlines the proposal, noting that “if the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue.”
Previously, in March, the council demanded an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
For months, negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been working to mediate a ceasefire. Hamas has stated that it wants a permanent end to the war in the Gaza Strip and for Israel to withdraw from the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people.
According to Israeli reports, over 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, with over 100 hostages believed to remain captive in Gaza. In response, Israel launched an air, ground, and sea assault on the Palestinian territory, resulting in the deaths of more than 37,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza health authorities.
