Gaza (Washington Insider Magazine)—UNITED NATIONS-The United Nations Security Council has voted on a resolution urging for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution emphasizes the cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, and efforts towards achieving a definitive resolution to the conflict.
The Security Council’s decision came following deliberations, with the United States abstaining from the vote. At the same time, the remaining 14 Council members supported the resolution, which was proposed by the body’s 10 elected members.
The urgency of a ceasefire
According to Canal26, the war that began almost six months ago caused more than 32,000 deaths and left one and a half million people (almost half of Gazans) in a state of “extreme food insecurity.” It also featured a destroyed Gaza that some compared to Germany after World War II.
Criticism in the European Union
Spain and Ireland have requested the European Commission to review the association agreement between the European Union (EU) and Israel. Both countries have expressed doubts that the agreement fulfills its obligations with regard to “respect for human rights and democratic principles”, which they consider to be an essential aspect of their relationship.
Washington’s stance on the term “ceasefire” evolved during the nearly six-month-long conflict in the Gaza Strip. Initially resistant to the term, the United States had previously used its veto power to shield Israel during its retaliation against Hamas for an October 7 attack, claimed to have resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals, according to Israel.
However, amidst mounting international pressure for a ceasefire in the conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 32,000 Palestinians, the United States opted to abstain from the vote. This decision allowed the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire during the ongoing Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, set to conclude in two weeks.
The resolution further underscores the urgent necessity to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid and bolster the protection of civilians across the Gaza Strip. It reiterates the call for the removal of all barriers hindering the provision of humanitarian aid at scale.
Additionally, the resolution demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, with Israel alleging that Hamas is holding 253 individuals captive.
In response to the Security Council’s decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned high-level delegation’s visit to Washington. Netanyahu criticized the United States for what he perceived as a departure from a moral stance, citing the absence of a condition tying the ceasefire to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The canceled delegation was set to present plans for an anticipated ground invasion of the strategic Gaza city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge from the conflict.
This marks the United States’ third veto of draft Council resolutions related to the Gaza war. The United States has also abstained on two previous occasions, enabling the passage of resolutions aimed at increasing aid to Gaza and calling for extended pauses in fighting.
Russia and China have vetoed two U.S. draft resolutions on the conflict, one in October and another on Friday.
