UN Security Council endorses Gaza ceasefire resolution

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution endorsing a US-backed ceasefire proposal that aims to end Israel’s eight-month assault on Gaza.

The vote on the United States-sponsored resolution on Monday was 14-0, with Russia abstaining.

The resolution welcomes a three-phase ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden last month, which calls for an initial six-week ceasefire and the exchange of some Israeli captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The second phase would include a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining captives. The third phase would involve a reconstruction effort for the devastated Gaza Strip.

The US says Israel has accepted the proposal, although some Israeli officials have since promised to continue the war until the elimination of Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs Gaza.

Hamas was quick to welcome the resolution on Monday. In a statement after the vote, Hamas said it was ready to cooperate with mediators and enter indirect negotiations over the implementation of the principles of the agreement.

However, no comment was received from Israel regarding the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency quoted the Ministry of Health of Gaza as saying that in the last 24 hours, around 300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza. With this, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 37,000.

Source: Al Jazeera