The United Nations Security Council has voted to endorse a US-proposed ceasefire plan for Israel and Gaza.
The proposal outlines conditions for a “full and complete ceasefire,” the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of deceased hostages’ remains, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
Fourteen of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the US-drafted resolution, with Russia abstaining.
The resolution notes Israel’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal and urges Hamas to agree to it as well.
This decision aligns the Security Council with several governments and the G7 group of the world’s richest nations, who have backed the three-part plan unveiled by President Joe Biden on May 31. At that time, Mr. Biden described it as an Israeli ceasefire proposal.
The vote is expected to increase pressure on both sides to respond positively to the plan to end the conflict. It follows shortly after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meetings with foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to garner support for the peace deal.
Just hours before the UN vote, Mr Blinken said his message to leaders in the region was: “If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes.”
The group previously expressed support for parts of the plan and released a statement on Monday “welcoming” the Security Council resolution. Hamas is expected to seek assurances that the plan will lead to a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Its political leadership in Doha has yet to formally respond to the proposal, according to US and Israeli officials.
The proposal includes a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, which has been heavily damaged in the conflict.
The first phase involves a hostage-prisoner swap and a short-term ceasefire.
The second phase aims for a “permanent end to hostilities” and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to the US draft resolution text.
The third phase focuses on Gaza’s long-term future, initiating a multi-year reconstruction plan.
Monday’s resolution follows President Biden’s statement that the Israelis had agreed to the plan 10 days earlier. However, Mr. Netanyahu has not yet endorsed the US proposal.
While Mr. Biden presented the peace initiative as an Israeli one, the US acknowledges that Israel’s fractured ruling coalition is hesitant about the plan. Some far-right ministers are threatening to collapse the government if the deal advances.
The resignation of former general Benny Gantz from the war cabinet on Sunday has further intensified the sense of instability.
President Biden’s account on X, formerly Twitter, noted the passage of the resolution. “Hamas says it wants a ceasefire,” the post said. “This deal is an opportunity to prove they mean it.”
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.
Explaining its abstention, Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia raised concerns over the clarity of the deal and whether Israel had truly accepted the plan to end its military operation in Gaza, as the resolution states.
“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.
Despite voting in favor, China also expressed concerns about the resolution. Its UN ambassador questioned whether this resolution would be different from the three previous Security Council resolutions on the conflict, which were not implemented despite being legally binding.
On 25 March, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire. While the US had previously vetoed similar measures, it did not veto the March resolution. At the time, Mr. Netanyahu stated that the US had “abandoned” its prior position of linking a ceasefire to the release of hostages.
The conflict began when Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 251 hostages. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 37,000 since Israel’s response to the attack.