UN Security Council backs US Israel-Gaza ceasefire plan
The United Nations Security Council has endorsed a US-proposed ceasefire plan for Israel and Gaza.
The plan includes terms for a “complete ceasefire,” the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of the remains of deceased hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
Fourteen out of fifteen Security Council members voted in favor of the US-drafted resolution, with Russia abstaining.
The resolution indicates that Israel has accepted the ceasefire proposal and calls on Hamas to agree to it as well.
With this vote, the Security Council joins several governments and the G7 group of the world’s wealthiest nations in supporting the three-part plan unveiled by President Joe Biden on May 31.
This vote is expected to increase pressure on both parties to adopt the plan, aiming to end the conflict. It follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meetings with foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to garner support for the peace deal.
Just hours before the UN vote, Mr. Blinken urged regional leaders to press Hamas to agree to the ceasefire.
Hamas has previously expressed support for parts of the plan and welcomed the Security Council resolution in a statement on Monday. However, the group is likely to seek assurances that the plan will lead to a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
According to US and Israeli officials, Hamas’s political leadership in Doha has yet to formally respond to the proposal.
The proposal would end with a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, which has been largely destroyed in the conflict.
The first phase concerns a hostage-prisoner swap as well as a short-term ceasefire.
The second phase includes a “permanent end to hostilities”, as well as a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to a text of the US draft resolution.
The third phase focuses on the enclave’s long-term outlook, and it would start a multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Monday’s resolution comes 10 days after President Biden said the Israelis had agreed to the plan. But Mr Netanyahu has not yet endorsed the US proposal.
While Mr Biden presented the peace initiative as an Israeli one, the US is also aware Israel’s own fractious ruling coalition is approaching the plan with reluctance. This extends to outright opposition by some far-right ministers who are threatening to trigger a collapse of the government if the deal progresses.
The resignation of former general Benny Gantz from the war cabinet on Sunday has deepened that sense of instability.
President Biden’s account on X, formerly Twitter, noted the passage of the resolution. “Hamas says it wants a ceasefire,” the post said. “This deal is an opportunity to prove they mean it.”
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, said: “Today we voted for peace”.
UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”, adding that the “suffering has gone on for far too long”.
“We call upon the parties to seize this opportunity and move towards lasting peace which guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people,” Ms Woodward said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron also welcomed the resolution.
On 25 March, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire.
While the US had previously vetoed similar measures, it did not veto the March resolution. Mr Netanyahu said at the time that the US had “abandoned” its prior position linking a ceasefire to the release of hostages.
The conflict began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 251 people hostage.
The Hamas-run health ministry says the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 37,000 since Israel responded to its attack.
