The United Nations Security Council has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza after the United States did not veto the proposal, reversing its previous position.
It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all captives. It is the council's first appeal for a truce since the battle began in October, following many failed attempts. The move by the United States indicates a growing divide between it and its partner Israel over Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued an unusually harsh reprimand, claiming that the U.S. had "abandoned" its former position, which had clearly connected a truce to the rescue of hostages.
"Regrettably, the United States did not veto the new resolution," the statement stated.
According to the statement, this undermined efforts to liberate hostages by giving Hamas hope that it might utilise international pressure on Israel to establish a ceasefire without releasing the captives.
It also stated that Mr Netanyahu had chosen to cancel discussions between an Israeli delegation and U.S. officials in Washington slated for this week. Israel's defence minister stated that Israel will not end the war in Gaza while hostages are still being held there.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative to the United Nations, hailed the resolution but noted that it was long overdue. "It has taken six months, over 100,000 Palestinians killed and maimed, two million displaced, and famine, for this council to finally demand an immediate ceasefire," he stated.
In the Security Council vote on Monday, the United States abstained, while the remaining 14 members voted in favour.
The U.S. had previously rejected resolutions asking for a ceasefire, claiming that such a step would be inappropriate while Israel and Hamas were still negotiating a peace and releasing hostages. However, on Thursday, it presented its own proposal, which for the first time called for a ceasefire, indicating a hardening of its stance against Israel.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that the resolution "must be implemented" in order to guarantee a truce and the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages".
However, it has become increasingly critical of Israel for the mounting death toll in Gaza, where Israel's shelling has killed over 32,000 Palestinians. According to the territory’s Hams-run Health Ministry, the majority of them are women and children.
The United States has also pressured Israel to do more to transfer relief to Gaza, where it claims the whole population is suffering from extreme acute food insecurity.
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Israel-Hamas war: UN Security Council passes resolution calling for ceasefire
