The United Nations Security Council has voted to support a US plan for Gaza ceasefire plan to put an end to the war in Gaza.
Fourteen of the fifteen Security Council members voted in favour of the US-drafted resolution with Russia abstaining.
The proposal outlines conditions for a “full and complete ceasefire,” the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of the remains of deceased hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
The resolution went further to state that Israel has accepted the ceasefire proposal and urges Hamas to agree to it too, putting pressure on both parties to take the deal.
Before the UN vote, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said his message to leaders in the region was: “If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes.”
Hamas has said it supports parts of the plan, which the US President unveiled on May 31 and stated on Monday that it welcomed the Security Council resolution. However, it is likely to demand guarantees the plan would lead to a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
The proposal also outlines a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, which has been virtually destroyed in the conflict.
Monday’s resolution comes days after President Biden said the Israelis had agreed to the plan. But Mr Netanyahu has not yet endorsed the US proposal.
While the proposal is being presented as an Israeli initiative, the US is not oblivious that Israel’s fragile ruling coalition is approaching the plan with reluctance. Even some far-right ministers have threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu accepts the deal.
The resignation of former General Benny Gantz from the war cabinet on Sunday further intensified the sense of instability.
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.
Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said his country abstained because of concerns over the clarity of the deal and if Israel had truly accepted the plan to end its military operation in Gaza, as the resolution claimed.
“Given the many statements from Israel on the extension of the war until Hamas is completely defeated, what specifically has Israel agreed to?” Mr Nebenzia asked.
China also expressed concerns over the deal’s text, even though it voted in favour of it. It hoped this would be different to the three previous Security Council resolutions on the conflict, which were not implemented despite being legally binding.
On March 25, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire.
