The United Nations Security Council was set to vote on a new resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the vote was postponed to Monday after a separate resolution proposed by the United States was vetoed. The US-led resolution mentioned the need for an immediate and sustained ceasefire and condemned the recent attack by Hamas on October 7.
The resolution put forward by the United States was vetoed by Russia and China, with Arab states also opposing it for not explicitly demanding Israel to end its campaign in Gaza immediately. In response, a new, tougher draft resolution was introduced, demanding an immediate ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire that is respected by all sides.
The new resolution also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages seized by Hamas and the lifting of all barriers to humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, expressed unanimous support for the new draft resolution, denouncing the US-led text as biased. However, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield indicated opposition, stating that the resolution could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages.
The text of the new resolution did not explicitly use the word “call” but emphasized the imperative need for a ceasefire and linked to ongoing talks led by Qatar, with support from the United States and Egypt, to halt fighting in exchange for the release of hostages by Hamas. China’s representative, Zhang Jun, urged the US to support the new draft resolution clearly calling for a ceasefire if they were serious about achieving peace.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 1,160 people, mostly civilians, reported dead in the deadliest attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, leading to a retaliatory campaign that has claimed the lives of over 32,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The United Nations has warned of an imminent famine in the territory if the conflict continues unchecked.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties involved to prioritize peace and humanitarian efforts to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire. The postponement of the vote on the ceasefire resolution highlights the complexities and challenges in reaching a lasting peace agreement in one of the most volatile regions in the world.