UN Security Council approves ceasefire resolution for Israel-Hamas conflict

In the first significant move aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the UN Security Council on Monday overwhelmingly approved a US-sponsored resolution endorsing a comprehensive ceasefire plan. The resolution received 14 votes in favour, with Russia abstaining.

The resolution welcomes a ceasefire proposal announced by President Joe Biden, which the United States claims has been accepted by Israel.

It calls on Hamas, which has viewed the proposal positively, to accept the three-phase plan and urges both parties “to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.”

Statements from Representatives

Amar Bendjama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN, emphasized the resolution’s objective to halt the violence in Gaza, stating, “Algeria’s sole guiding principle has been the preservation of Palestinian lives. We cannot stand by while the Israeli occupying forces continue to exterminate Palestinians.”

Joonkook Hwang, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea, said, “The recent airstrikes on refugee camps and the massive operation to rescue hostages, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties, once again exemplify the imperative of finalizing the deal as soon as possible. More hesitation means more fatalities.”

Welcoming the resolution, the representative of Guyana said, “We reiterate our demand for adherence to international law, including international humanitarian law. As Guyana has consistently pointed out, this war is characterized by the violation of international law with seeming impunity. In this context, it is therefore important to continuously emphasize the parties’ obligations to strictly comply with international law.”

Russia abstained from the vote, citing a lack of clear agreement from Israel on the proposed deal. Vasily Nebenzya, Permanent UN Representative of Russia, questioned the specifics of Israel’s commitments, highlighting statements from Israel indicating an extension of the conflict until Hamas is defeated.

While China supported the resolution, its representative commented that the draft is still ambiguous in many aspects and expressed valid concerns about whether the parties involved will accept the ceasefire proposal and whether the three-phase arrangement can be carried out smoothly. The representative also highlighted that all council resolutions are legally binding and should be implemented in a comprehensive and effective manner.

“We hope that the sponsor will work sincerely, in an impartial and responsible manner, to push for the immediate realization of a permanent ceasefire,” said Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Fu Cong.

US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood described the resolution as “the best, most realistic opportunity to bring at least a temporary halt to this war.”

Israel’s representative did not explicitly state that it will respect the resolution but instead said, “Israel will not let Hamas rearm or regroup so that Gaza can pose a threat to Israel. This is the unwavering goal that we are determined to achieve. This also means that Israel will not engage in meaningless and endless negotiations, which can be exploited by Hamas as a means to stall for time.”

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, said that the burden is on the Israeli side to implement this resolution, to have the ceasefire immediately in place, to have the exchange, including the release of Palestinian prisoners, and to make this ceasefire a permanent ceasefire.

Reactions and Next Steps

While the Security Council’s approval adds pressure on Israel and Hamas to accept the proposal, it remains uncertain whether both parties will agree to the three-phase ceasefire plan. The strong support for the resolution underscores the international community’s desire for an end to the hostilities and a path toward peace.

The resolution follows a previous Security Council demand for a humanitarian ceasefire during Ramadan, which failed to halt the conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been actively pursuing a resolution to the crisis, marking his eighth trip to the Middle East since 7 October.

Ceasefire Plan Details:

Phase One:

• A six-week immediate ceasefire.
• Release of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded.
• Return of the remains of deceased hostages.
• Exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
• Withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza.
• Return of Palestinian civilians to their homes.
• Safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance, with housing units delivered by the international community.

Phase Two:

• A permanent end to hostilities upon agreement, in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Phase Three:

• Launch of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.
• Return of the remains of Israelis and others still in Gaza to their families.

The proposal ensures that if negotiations extend beyond six weeks in phase one, the ceasefire will continue as long as talks proceed.

The resolution also rejects any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza and reiterates the Security Council’s commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully within secure and recognized borders.