The resolution calling for a “lasting and sustainable” truce and the release of all hostages was approved with the abstention of the US, which this time did not use its veto power, marking a turning point in its support for Israel.
After four failed attempts over more than five months of conflict, the United Nations Security Council approved on Monday (25/03), with the votes of 14 of its 15 members and the abstention of the United States, a resolution demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the release of all hostages held by the radical Islamic group in the Gaza Strip.
The resolution, which is binding – and whose non-compliance could therefore lead to the imposition of international sanctions – was brought to the council by 10 members and had the support of Russia, China and the Arab countries.
“The Palestinian people have suffered greatly,” Algeria’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, told the council after the vote. “It is our obligation to put an end to this bloodbath before it is too late.”
US turnaround
The United States’ abstention marks a clear shift in international support for Israel – the Americans had until then been using their veto power to block measures seen by Israel as a threat to its national security, but Joe Biden’s administration has seen pressure for a ceasefire grow as the death toll on the Palestinian side has exceeded 32,000, according to figures from Hamas-linked authorities – although the figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, they claim that women and children account for more than two-thirds of the victims.
The conflict broke out on October 7, after a terrorist attack by Hamas left around 1,160 dead in Israel, most of them civilians. Another 250 or so people were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip, and around 130 are believed to remain in Palestinian territory – 33 of whom are reported dead.
“A ceasefire can begin immediately, with the release of the first hostage, and we must pressure Hamas to do just that,” said the American ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Resolution also demands unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance
The resolution approved on Monday speaks of a “lasting and sustainable ceasefire”, “emphasizes the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip and to strengthen the protection of civilians” throughout the Palestinian territory, as well as “reiterating its demand for the suspension of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance” on a large scale.
Last Friday, China and Russia had vetoed a similar resolution proposed by the United States on the grounds that it opened the way for an Israeli military operation in Rafah, in the far south of Gaza, where most of the refugees from the conflict are sheltered.
Criticism from Israel, praise from Hamas
Immediately after the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had canceled the trip of an Israeli delegation to the United States. The Americans were to present alternatives to an invasion of Rafah. Israel has signaled that it intends to carry out the military operation regardless of international reactions.
Regarding the resolution, Netanyahu’s cabinet said that it undermines “both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages”. “It gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our abductees.”
Hamas welcomed the resolution, saying it was “ready” for an “immediate exchange of prisoners on both sides”. Spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby reacted by saying that the US is “disappointed” by Israel’s decision to cancel the trip, but stressed that the country has not changed its position on the conflict.
“We have remained consistent in our support for a ceasefire as part of a hostage [release] agreement,” Kirby argued, attributing the abstention in the vote to the fact that the resolution did not include a condemnation of Hamas.
ra/le (Reuters, DPA, AFP, AP, ots) *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***