UN Security Council approves ceasefire between Israel, Hamas

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Russia abstaining from the vote while 14 other nations vote in favour of the proposal.

A three-phase ceasefire plan, outlined in a US-drafted resolution and touted by President Joe Biden as an Israeli-led initiative, aims to bring an end to the conflict, although its potential impact and success remain uncertain.

In response to the resolution, Hamas expressed its willingness to collaborate with intermediaries to implement the plan’s principles.

Before the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that President Biden only presented a partial version of the proposal, emphasizing that any discussion of a permanent ceasefire without first dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities is unacceptable and a non-negotiable precondition.

The UN Security Council has considered a three-phase ceasefire plan, which includes the initial release of hostages and a temporary halt in fighting lasting until the second phase is negotiated.

Followed by the release of all remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a permanent end to hostilities.

And lastly, reconstruction efforts in Gaza, aiming to rebuild and restore the region.

The United States drafted a resolution outlining this plan.

The UN Security Council approved its first resolution backing a detailed ceasefire plan, following a vote in March that called for an immediate end to hostilities.

On Monday, 14 out of 15 council members voted in favour of the motion, with Russia being the sole abstention.

“We’re waiting on Hamas to agree to the ceasefire deal it claims to want,” US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council before Monday’s vote.

“With every passing day, needless suffering continues.”

According to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, Egypt and Qatar have assured the United States that they are actively working to engage Hamas in ceasefire talks, and the US has committed to holding Israel accountable for its commitments and ensuring that it fulfils its obligations in the ceasefire process.