The UN Security Council passed a resolution on Monday calling for an immediate truce throughout the month of Ramadan, the unconditional release of captives, and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of supplies into Gaza.
The United States abstained, leaving 14 votes in support. UN Security Council Resolution 2728 comes after nearly six months of violence in the Gaza Strip.
The UN Security Council's resolution calling for an"immediate ceasefire" in Gaza is a significant change from previous resolutions, especially because the United States did not veto the motion, indicating a shift in its posture.
This latest policy shift from the US highlights disagreement between Washington and its only ally in the Middle East over its repeated denial of putting a pause to the Gaza offensive.
Meanwhile, B. Netanyahu termed the US decision as a “clear retreat” from its earlier position.
Additionally, he has cancelled planned meetings betweenIsraeli delegates and US officials in Washington this development is significantly important as it’s the first time since the beginning of the war that the US has decided to abstain from the vote.
Due to US abstention in the voting process, the rest of the council members overwhelmingly supported the resolution.
The purpose of the US abstaining from the vote lies in its efforts to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza, although the US continues to support Israel with its weapons and aid.
On October 7, Hamas launched an air raid named (operation Al- Aqsa Flood) into Israeli borders and killed 1163 people including civilians, in response Israelis launched its operation, which has killed “32,300 Palestinians and injured 74,600 according to Gaza health ministry.”
Meanwhile, Israel's Ambassador and UN Permanent Representative, Gilad Erdan, criticised the Security Council for what he saw as selective condemnation of terrorist actions.
Erdan decried Hamas's use of indiscriminate rockets and missiles, citing the organization's persistent attacks on Israeli citizens over the last 18 years.
Ambassador Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, addressed the Security Council about the current situation in the Middle East, with an emphasis on the Palestinian issue.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador to the UN, stated that the US abstained from the UNSC vote because they were committed to de-escalating the situation.
Furthermore, this was the necessity of the hour and critical to achieving the crucial objectives in the current continuing conflict.
Secretary-General António Guterres stated on X shortly after the voting that the long-awaited resolution must be implemented; failing to do so "would be unforgivable."
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