In A First, UNSC Demands 'Immediate' Ceasefire In Gaza; Netanyahu Cancels US Visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly cancelled a planned visit to Washington in US by a high-level delegation to protest Monday's U.N. Security Council decision.

Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from what he said had been a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The Israeli team was scheduled to provide the White House staff with proposals for a potential military operation in Gaza city of Rafah which has become a refuge for more than 1 million Palestinian civilians during the ongoing conflict.

The 15-nation Council adopted the resolution, put forth by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, with 14 nations voting in favour, none against and an abstention by permanent member the US.

According to AP, the resolution “demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramzan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs, and further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a post on X wrote, "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,” he added.

US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield agreed that the resolution acknowledges importance of the month of Ramzan, she said, “we must recommit to peace. Hamas can do that by accepting the deal on the table. A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage.”

“And so, we must put pressure on Hamas to do just that. This is the only path to securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as we have all called for today. That is what this resolution means, a ceasefire of any duration must come with the release of hostages. This is the only path,” she said.

The US envoy stated that the sole way to achieve a lasting resolution to this dispute is by freeing all of the hostages.

Five months after the war began in Gaza initiated by Hamas attack on October 7, this resolution was passed.

The Security Council, whose main duty is to uphold global peace and security, has been strongly divided and has been unable to agree on a ceasefire resolution for Gaza until now.

As per the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between October 7, 2023, and March 25, a minimum of 32,333 Palestinians lost their lives in Gaza, and 74,694 Palestinians were wounded.

More than 1,200 Israelis and people from other countries have lost their lives in Israel, with the majority of casualties occurring on October 7 during the Hamas attack.

As of March 25, the Israeli authorities estimate that 134 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are withheld, the UN agency said.

(With AP inputs)