The U.N. Security Council for the first time Monday called for an unconditional cease-fire in Gaza, in a 14-0 vote from which the United States abstained. The resolution, sponsored by the 10 non-permanent members of the council, also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.

The U.S. abstention was a significant policy change for the Biden administration, which had vetoed three previous cease-fire resolutions and failed to gain passage of its own resolution Friday that tied a stop in the fighting to the release of hostages. The passed measure, supported by Russia and China, separated the two provisions as independent demands.

An amendment proposed by Russia, which would have inserted the word “permanent” before the cease-fire demand, failed to pass. The resolution says it should continue during Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting, that began last week and lay the groundwork for a sustainable end to the war.

In explaining the U.S. abstention, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that “certain key edits were ignored” by the sponsors and that the United States “did not agree with everything in the resolution.” But while “we fully support some of the objectives,” she said, “we believe it was important to speak out and make clear that any cease-fire must come with the release of all hostages.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington this week for talks with the Biden administration over U.S. support.

A separate Israeli delegation, to include Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, was set to depart Israel on Monday evening, said an Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the schedule had not been made public.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday canceled the trip after UNSC Resolution.

Meanwhile, Hamas welcomed, in a statement. UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza ceasefire, affirming readiness to engage in prisoner swap talks.

Source: AFP