UN Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza: US Abstains, Israel Reacts

 The UN Security Council has at last adopted a resolution calling for an instant ceasefire in Gaza following five months of fierce fighting. Long-time ally of Israel, the United States, did not veto the resolution, indicating a dramatic change in its diplomatic position.

The resolution's approval surprised Israel, which has long depended on US diplomatic assistance. Declaring their intention to carry on with their operations, Israeli officials have voiced their displeasure of the decision.

In the middle of the continuous fighting in Gaza, where the conflict has claimed the lives of over 32,000 people, the resolution was approved. When terrorists led by Hamas struck Israel, 1,200 people lost their lives and 250 hostages were taken prisoner.

For not clearly tying the ceasefire to the release of the hostages in Gaza, Israel has criticised the resolution. The resolution requests the "immediate ceasefire" and the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." A prior, US-proposed resolution that was not approved had directly linked the truce to the captives' release.

Though the US says the resolution is not binding, experts disagree. The particular language employed in the text will determine how it is interpreted.

israel gaza war

At last, after five months of intense conflict, the UN Security Council passed a resolution requesting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United States, a long-time friend of Israel, showed a sharp shift in its diplomatic stance by not vetoing the resolution.

Approval of the resolution shocked Israel, which has long relied on US diplomatic support. Declaring their plan to continue with their operations, Israeli officials have expressed their dissatisfaction with the choice.

Over 32,000 individuals had lost their lives in the ongoing war in Gaza, when the resolution was passed. There were 1,200 casualties and 250 captives taken prisoner when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel.

Israel has attacked the resolution for not making the ceasefire explicitly linked to the release of the hostages in Gaza. The resolution calls for "immediate ceasefire" as well as "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." The truce and the release of the detainees had been explicitly linked in an earlier, unapproved US proposal.

Although the US claims the resolution is not binding, experts disagree. How the text is understood will depend on the specific language used in it.

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