Home World UN votes in favour of Gaza ceasefire after months of talks

UN votes in favour of Gaza ceasefire after months of talks


In a groundbreaking development, the UN Security Council has almost unanimously voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution demands a ceasefire in Gaza to last for the rest of Ramadan – the Muslim holy month, happening this year between March 10 and April 9.

While the council is calling for a two-week ceasefire, the draft said this pause should lead to a “permanent sustainable ceasefire”.

The resolution also demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all the hostages still in Gaza – believed to be around 100.

During its unprecedented attack on October 7, Hamas kidnapped 253 people – including children and elderly people. Some have since died, while others were freed.

The United States was the only country abstaining in the vote, a move marking a major policy shift, while the other 14 countries sitting in the council – including Russia, China and the UK – approved the resolution.

Antonio Guterres wrote on X: “The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable.”

The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

The United States warned that the resolution approved on Monday could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities by the US, Egypt and Qatar, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans.

The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, is backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.

A statement issued Friday night by the Arab Group appealed to all 15 council members “to act with unity and urgency” and vote for the resolution “to halt the bloodshed, preserve human lives and avert further human suffering and destruction.”

“It is long past time for a ceasefire,” the Arab Group said.

More to follow…

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