In Washington, the United Nations Security Council recently passed a resolution calling for an immediate halt to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip amid the sacred month of Ramadan, alongside a demand for the unconditional release of all hostages. This move came after the United States chose to abstain from the vote, marking a pivotal moment as it allowed the first cease-fire resolution to be approved since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The resolution garnered unanimous support from the other 14 council members.
Previous attempts to secure a similar cease-fire had been unsuccessful, with four proposals being blocked, three of which were directly vetoed by the Biden administration. Despite this, the U.S. abstention does not signify a change in policy, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, who emphasized the consistent stance of the U.S. shortly after the resolution’s passage.
The decision by the U.S. to abstain has sparked significant controversy, particularly from the Israeli government. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a halt to a planned delegation’s trip to Washington, intended for discussions with Biden administration officials. This decision comes as Israel prepares for a military operation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. Netanyahu’s office stated that the change in the American position undermines efforts to secure the hostages’ release, as it may give Hamas the impression that international pressure could lead to a cease-fire without meeting Israel’s demands.
Kirby acknowledged the absence of the Israeli delegation in Washington as less than ideal but expressed anticipation for discussions on Rafah with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is already in the U.S.
The U.S. abstention from voting on the cease-fire resolution was influenced by the absence of language condemning Hamas for its actions, particularly the deadly attack on Israel on October 7. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, cited this as the primary reason for the U.S.’s decision, pointing out the ongoing challenges in reaching a cease-fire agreement. Despite disagreements with certain aspects of the resolution, Thomas-Greenfield affirmed U.S. support for its critical objectives, emphasizing the importance of the council’s statement on the necessity of a cease-fire accompanied by the release of all hostages.
The resolution’s approval has been met with praise from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who highlighted the urgent need to improve access to Gaza. Guterres stressed the imperative of implementing the resolution, warning that failure to do so would be inexcusable.
Tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu have been escalating, particularly over Israel’s approach to providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians and considerations of a military invasion of Rafah. Netanyahu has resisted Biden’s calls for a two-state solution to the ongoing Middle East crisis, vowing to continue the conflict until Hamas is defeated. The Gaza Health Ministry reports the death toll in Gaza has reached 32,000 since the beginning of the conflict.
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