UN Security Council Calls For Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

After more than five months of war and devastation in Gaza, the UN Security Council for the first time demanded an immediate ceasefire in the region on Monday. The United States, Israel’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, preferred to abstain from voting. All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution which “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The resolution calls for the truce to lead to a “lasting, sustainable ceasefire” and demands that Hamas and other militants free hostages seized on October 7.

Russia at the last minute objected to the removal of the word “permanent” ceasefire and called a vote, which failed to gain passage.

The October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group on Israel resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians. The militants also seized 250 hostages, of whom Israel believes around 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 presumed dead.

Israel’s retaliatory attack to eliminate Hamas has killed more than 32,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.