By Associated Press |
The United Nations Security Council has issued its first demand for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States angering Israel by abstaining from the vote.
Israel responded by cancelling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the US of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The resolution was approved 14-0 by the 15-member council after the US decided not to use its veto power on the measure, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The chamber broke into loud applause after the vote.
The US vetoed past Security Council cease-fire resolutions in large part because of the failure to tie them directly to the release of hostages, the failure to condemn Hamas’ attacks and the delicacy of ongoing negotiations. American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favoured unconditional calls for cease-fires.
The resolution approved on Monday (Tuesday AEDT) demands the release of hostages but does not make it a condition for the cease-fire for the month of Ramadan, which ends in April.
Really?? This time the resolution will come reality