By Ben Kerrigan-
The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan.
The resolution, put forward by non-permanent members of the council, emphasizes the need for a two-week truce, extending from March 10 to April 9, with the ultimate goal of achieving a permanent and sustainable ceasefire.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas and the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.
The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution, which was proposed by the 10 elected members of the body.
Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council after the vote that the Palestinian people had “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,” Mr Bendjama said.
The vote saw overwhelming support from 14 out of the 15 council members, including major powers like Russia, China, and the UK. However, notably, the United States abstained from voting, marking a departure from its previous staunch support for Israel in similar resolutions.
The US decision to abstain has stirred controversy and drawn criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who canceled a planned delegation visit to Washington in response.
Netanyahu’s office expressed disappointment in the US’s abstention, labelling it a “clear retreat” from its consistent stance. The Israeli government argues that the resolution’s lack of a condition requiring the immediate release of hostages undermines their efforts to secure the freedom of their citizens held by Hamas.
The US, however, maintains that its abstention does not signify a policy shift but rather reflects its assessment that the resolution did not include essential language.
Hamas, on the other hand, welcomed the UN resolution, indicating its readiness to engage in immediate prisoner swaps with Israel. This response from Hamas underscores a willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
The passing of the resolution comes after previous failed attempts, including a US-sponsored resolution vetoed by Russia and China just days earlier.
The current resolution marks the first time the US has backed a resolution explicitly calling for a ceasefire, indicative of a shifting stance under the Biden administration.
In her address to the Security Council, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the country’s support for the resolution’s objectives while emphasizing the need for Hamas to accept the terms laid out for peace.
She urged other council members to join in demanding unequivocal compliance from Hamas.
The UK, also a permanent member of the Security Council, voiced its support for the resolution, highlighting the urgency of upholding international humanitarian law and scaling up aid efforts in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the importance of implementing the resolution, stating that failure to do so would be “unforgivable.”
The resolution’s passage represents a unified international effort to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has claimed thousands of Palestinian lives and led to widespread destruction.