Gaza: UN Security Council endorses US ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas

The United Nations Security Council voted this Monday in favor of a ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas, formulated by the United States a few days ago.

The plan establishes the conditions for a “total and complete ceasefire“, the release of the hostages held by Hamas, the return of the remains of the deceased hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.

14 of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution drafted by the United States and only abstained Russia.

The resolution states that Israel accepts the ceasefire proposal and urges Hamas to do it too.

In this way, the Security Council joins several governments, as well as the G7 or group of the 7 richest countries in the world, to support the three-phase plan that was revealed by the American president, Joe Bidenlast May 31.

The vote is likely to increase pressure on both sides to respond positively to end the conflict.

The announcement came shortly after the American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenmet with foreign leaders, including the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahuin an attempt to generate support for the agreement.

“If you want a ceasefire, put pressure on Hamas to say yes,” Blinken said hours before the UN vote.

Hamas has said it supports some proposals in the plan and on Monday issued a statement “welcoming” the Security Council resolution.

Hamas is likely to demand assurances that this deal will lead to a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

However, their political leadership in Doha has yet to formally respond to the proposal, according to US and Israeli officials.

The proposal would end a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by the conflict.

The first phase contemplates the exchange of hostages and prisonersas well as a short-term ceasefire.

The second phase includes a “permanent cessation of hostilities“, as well as a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to a text of the US draft resolution.

The third focuses on the long-term prospects of the enclave and would initiate a multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.

Monday’s resolution comes 10 days after President Biden said the Israelis had agreed to the plan. But Netanyahu has not yet endorsed the US proposal.

Although Biden presented the proposal as an Israeli initiative, the United States is also aware that Israel’s ruling coalition is approaching the plan with reluctance.

Added to this is the open opposition of some ministers of extreme right in the Israeli cabinetwho threaten to cause a collapse of the government if the agreement advances.

The resignation of the former general Benny Gantz of the war cabinet on Sunday deepened that sense of instability.

“Hamas says it wants a ceasefire,” Biden said on his X account, formerly Twitter. “This agreement is an opportunity to show that they are serious.”

“Today we vote for peace“, he claimed Linda Thomas-GreenfieldUS ambassador to the UN.

The ambassador of the United Kingdom, Barbara Woodwardcalled the situation in Gaza “catastrophic” and added that “the suffering has gone on for too long.”

“We call on the parties to seize this opportunity and move towards a lasting peace that ensures security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people,” Woodward said.

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Cameronalso welcomed the resolution.

On March 25, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire.

Although the United States had vetoed similar measures, it did not block the March resolution. At the time, Netanyahu asserted that the US had “abandoned” its previous position linking a ceasefire with the release of hostages.

The conflict began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 37,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel responded to its attack and began the offensive.

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