UN demands immediate Gaza ceasefire after US abstains

NT Bureau, Agencies

United Nations: The UN Security Council Monday passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan, a breakthrough coming after more than five months since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The 15-nation Council adopted the resolution, put forth by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, with 14 nations voting in favour, none against and an abstention by permanent member the US.

“The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a post on X.

“This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable,” he said.

The resolution “demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramzan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs, and further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain.”

US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the resolution rightly acknowledges that, during the month of Ramzan, “we must recommit to peace. Hamas can do that by accepting the deal on the table. A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage.”

“And so, we must put pressure on Hamas to do just that. This is the only path to securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as we have all called for today. That is what this resolution means, a ceasefire of any duration must come with the release of hostages. This is the only path,” she said.

Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, said that Israel needs to immediately respond to the UN Security Council resolution adopted today by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, ending the starvation of Gaza's population, and halting unlawful attacks.

“Palestinian armed groups should release all civilians held hostage. The US and other countries should use their leverage to end atrocities by suspending arms transfers to Israel.”

The resolution comes more than five months after the conflict in Gaza erupted following the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel. According to a UN update, between October 7, 2023, and March 25, at least 32,333 Palestinians were killed in Gaza.