AFTER more than five months of war, the UN Security Council for the first time Monday demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the United States, Israel’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, abstained.
Drawing unusual applause in the normally staid Security Council, all 14 other members 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 in their October 7 attack that triggered the massive Israeli military campaign.
“The bloodbath has continued for far too long,” said Amar Bendjama, the representative of Algeria, the Arab bloc’s current member of the Security Council and a sponsor of the resolution alongside a diverse group that included Slovenia, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea.
“Finally, the Security Council is shouldering its responsibility,” he said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres demanded that the resolution be implemented. “Failure would be unforgivable,” Guterres wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour fought back tears as he said that the resolution should be a “turning point” in ending the war.
“Apologies to those who the world has failed, to those that could have been saved but were not,” he said.
The United States had repeatedly blocked Security Council resolutions that put pressure on Israel but has increasingly shown frustration with its ally as the United Nations warns of impending famine in Gaza.
