UN Security Council adopts ceasefire resolution to end Israel-Hamas war

UNITED NATIONS (AP):

The UN Security Council on Monday approved its first resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The resolution welcomes a ceasefire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States says Israel has accepted. It calls on Hamas, which initially said it viewed the proposal “positively”, to accept the three-phase plan.

It urges Israel and Hamas “to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition”.

The resolution, which the council voted 14-0 in favour, with Russia abstaining, urges Israel and Hamas “to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition”.

Earlier Monday, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told reporters that the US wanted to make sure all 15 Security Council members were on board to support what he described as “the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war”.

Council diplomats, speaking anonymously shortly before the vote, said it was still uncertain what Russia and China would do.

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase ceasefire plan remains in question.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent ceasefire before dismantling Hamas’ military and governing capabilities is a nonstarter.

The leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met in Qatar on Monday to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal and said in a statement afterwards that any deal must lead to a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza, reconstruction, and “a serious exchange deal” between hostages in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli jails.