The resolution calls for an “immediate ceasefire” for the fasting month of Ramadan, currently observed by Muslims around the world. This would lead to a “permanent” ceasefire. Also, the most powerful body of the United Nations is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas.
14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution; America did not vote. In such votes, Washington has always taken the position of its ally Israel, which rejects an immediate ceasefire. The US vetoed these measures three times; At most, the US delegation called for short “ceasefires”.
America through a U-turn
Recently, the US government and President Joe Biden have openly criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli-announced ground offensive in Rafah has been viewed critically, particularly in Washington. Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people are seeking protection from the fighting there.
The decision further increases international pressure on conflict parties Israel and Hamas. However, it is questionable to what extent the resolution will influence decisions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the Israeli government of Hamas about the next course of the war.
Netanyahu is angry
Before the vote, Netanyahu threatened to cancel a planned visit of two of his ambassadors to Washington at short notice if the United States did not block the resolution. Immediately after the vote in New York, the trip was also canceled. America's “definite withdrawal” would affect the war effort against Hamas and free the hostages. “Hamas is hopeful that international pressure will allow it to agree to a ceasefire even without releasing the hostages,” Netanyahu said.
For its part, Hamas welcomed the referendum. It also announced its “willingness to participate in an immediate prisoner exchange leading to the release of prisoners on both sides.”
UN Security Council: First Resolution for “Immediate Ceasefire”.
On Monday, the UN The US vote made it possible for the first time to adopt a resolution in the Security Council. Relations between Washington and Jerusalem are likely to deteriorate.
Washington: Trip cancellation “regrettable”
The US government called the cancellation of the Israeli delegation's visit to Washington “somewhat surprising” and “regrettable”. The US government is expected to have other opportunities in the coming days to talk with Israel about alternatives to a planned ground attack on Rafah in the Gaza Strip, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in Washington on Monday.
The US government is willing to submit plans to Israel that it believes will achieve Israel's “legitimate goal of defeating Hamas.” But this must be done “in a way that does not cause undue harm to the public and does not weaken Israel's overall security,” Miller said.
The US has previously contradicted the U-turn, saying it did not constitute a “change in policy”. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. abstained from the vote because it supported the ceasefire but did not contain any condemnation of Hamas.
UN Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterated on Monday that the ceasefire agreed by the UN body can only be implemented if Hamas begins to release the hostages it is holding. That, he said, was “the only way to ensure a ceasefire”.
Binding under international law
The text of the resolution currently adopted was introduced by the non-permanent members of the UN Council. The first vote scheduled for Saturday was postponed at short notice to allow more time for negotiations.
A resolution in the UN Security Council requires the votes of at least nine of the 15 member states. Additionally, there is no veto from permanent members such as the United States, Russia, China, France, or Great Britain. Security Council decisions are binding under international law. If the affected state ignores them, physical sanctions can be imposed – something that is not possible in Israel's case because of the US's veto power.
The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories is dire after nearly six months of war. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), 2.4 million Palestinians living there are on the brink of starvation.
US Government: Israel Did Not Violate International Humanitarian Law
According to US reports, there have been no violations of international humanitarian law by Israel in the Gaza Strip. “We have found no violation of international humanitarian law in the conduct of war or the provision of humanitarian assistance,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday. The administration will submit a report to Congress by May 8 pursuant to the directive, known as National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20).
After growing concerns about Israel's military presence in the Gaza Strip following a major offensive by the radical Islamist group Hamas, President Joe Biden's administration last month ordered that countries receiving US military aid provide “credible and credible” pledges to the international community. Law.
Apart from Israel, six other countries submitted the guarantee before a deadline on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry confirmed. These include Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia and Ukraine. “In each case, these assurances were made by a trusted high-level representative of the partner government,” State Department spokesman Miller said.