UN Security Council supports plan to cease fire between Israel and Hamas

The UN Security Council has supported President Joe Biden's three-stage ceasefire plan, presented on May 31, which he referred to as the Israeli initiative. Fourteen members of the Security Council voted in favor, with Russia abstaining.

"Today we voted for peace," said US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

The resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal and notes that Israel has accepted it, calling on Hamas to agree to it and urgently calls upon both parties to fulfill its conditions in full, without delay, and any conditions.

The resolution was supported by the only Arab member of the Council, Algeria. According to the country's ambassador to the UN, Amar Bendjama, "we believe it can represent a step forward toward an immediate and lasting ceasefire. It offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians. It's time to halt the killing," he said.

The resolution also details the proposal and states that if negotiations take more than six weeks for the first phase, the ceasefire will continue until negotiations conclude.

Israel's goals

However, the document did not contain enough details for Moscow. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia asked what exactly Israel had agreed to and stated that the Security Council should not sign agreements with blurred parameters.

"We did not wish to block the resolution simply because it, as much as we understand, is supported by the Arab world," the Russian diplomat said.

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was present at the vote but did not address the Council. Instead, Israel's senior diplomat at the UN, Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, stated that Israel's goals in Gaza had always been clear.

"Israel is committed to these goals - to free all the hostages, to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities and to ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future. It is Hamas that is preventing this war from ending. Hamas and Hamas alone," she said.

Biden's peace plan

According to Israel, during the Hamas attack on Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 1,200 people were killed, and over 250 were taken hostage. More than 100 hostages are still held by the terrorists.

Following the attack, the Israeli military launched an air, ground, and sea operation in the region, which is ongoing.

For several months, negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been trying to reach an agreement on a ceasefire. In March, the UN Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.

In late May, Biden unveiled a ceasefire roadmap for Gaza. The plan includes a six-week ceasefire with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of the enclave and the release of some hostages while negotiations for a final cessation of hostilities are conducted.

In early June, Israel proposed a phased ceasefire agreement with Hamas. It includes the return of hostages, among other measures.