UN Security Council Calls for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

The UN Security Council has called for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. The US did not veto the measure in a shift from its previous position. However, 14 members voted in favor of the resolution while the USA abstained.

The UN Security Council has unanimously called for an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire, marking a significant shift in the international response to the ongoing conflict. In a departure from its prior stance, this resolution comes after the United States chose not to veto the call for a ceasefire. However, it also highlights a growing divergence with Israel over the latter’s military offensive in Gaza.

The resolution demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, a condition that has been central to the conflict since its escalation in October. The US’s decision not to veto reflects a hardening stance towards Israel, amid criticisms of the high civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Over 32,000 people, primarily women and children, are reportedly killed by Israeli bombardments, according to Hamas-run health ministries in Gaza. Moreover, the conflict has also led to severe food insecurity among Gaza’s entire population, exacerbated by restrictions on aid delivery.

Israel has reacted strongly to the resolution, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that the US had “abandoned” its previous position linking ceasefire directly to hostage release. This move by the US is apparently giving Hamas hope for achieving a ceasefire without meeting Israel’s demand for freeing the captives. In response, Netanyahu has canceled planned meetings with US officials, signaling a strain in US-Israel relations.

Changing Dynamics

Despite these tensions, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the US’s decision does not signify a policy shift. The US maintains its support for a ceasefire as part of a deal for hostage release, underlining the ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas. However, Hamas has welcomed the resolution, expressing readiness for an immediate prisoner exchange to facilitate the release of prisoners on both sides.

The resolution’s passage, with the US abstaining and the other 14 council members in favor, underscores the international community’s urgency in calling for a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the necessity of implementing the resolution to secure a ceasefire and ensure the hostages’ immediate release.

As the conflict continues, the resolution represents a crucial step towards de-escalation and highlights the complexities of diplomacy and international relations in addressing such protracted conflicts.