By The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which marks a significant shift in the US’s previous position as it did not veto the measure.
This is the first time the council has demanded a ceasefire since the war began in October. The move reflects a growing divergence between the US and Israel over Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office strongly rebuked the US for its decision, accusing it of abandoning its previous position linking a ceasefire to a hostage release. However, the US defended its stance, stating that its support for a ceasefire remains consistent but opted not to vote in favor of the resolution due to its failure to condemn Hamas. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of implementing the resolution to achieve a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
US Abstained In the Security Council vote on Monday, the US abstained, while the remaining 14 members voted in favour.
The US had previously blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire, saying such a move would be wrong while delicate negotiations for a truce and hostage releases were continuing between Israel and Hamas.
But on Thursday it tabled its own draft, which for the first time called for a ceasefire, marking a hardening of its stance towards Israel
The US move garnered widespread attention as a sign of Biden’s growing frustration with Israeli leadership, which is pressing on with its deadly military campaign in Gaza.
