UNSC calls for ceasefire in Gaza during Ramzan
The Security Council passes resolution 140 after the U.S. abstains from voting; Netanyahu cancels highlevel delegation’s Washington visit, accuses the U.S. of ‘retreating’ from a ‘principled position’
The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand to halt the fighting in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan in a vote that drew an immediate protest from the Israeli Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit to Washington by a highlevel delegation and accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The resolution passed 140 after the U.S. decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained on
the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. But the measure does not link that demand to the ceasefire during Ramzan, which ends on April 9.
The Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with plans
for an expected ground invasion of the strategic Gaza town of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter.
U.S. reasoning
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. had been “consistent” in its support for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal.
“The reason we abstained is because this resolution text did not condemn Hamas,” Mr. Kirby said.
The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.sponsored resolution on Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the IsraeliHamas conflict.
The U.S. warned that the resolution approved on Monday could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans.
More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.