UN Security Council Supports US Proposal for Gaza Ceasefire

(NationalUSNews.com) — On Monday, June 10, the United Nations Security Council approved a ceasefire proposal backed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The final tally was 14-0 in favor, with Russia abstaining. The proposed plan outlines conditions for a complete and lasting ceasefire. Among the conditions that need to be met are the release of all hostages taken by Hamas and the return of any deceased hostages’ remains. There are also allowances for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. While Biden has characterized the resolution as an Israeli plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly expressed support for it yet.

Like other ceasefire resolutions that have been considered, this one includes multiple phases. The first phase is the release of the hostages, the release of some Palestinian prisoners and a temporary ceasefire. The second phase is focused on achieving a permanent end to hostilities. This would include negotiations for peace and total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The final phase concerns the reconstruction of Gaza, including infrastructure, housing, and economic development. Phase three would involve international support for the reconstruction efforts.

While Hamas has said that they welcome the Security Council resolution, they have not formally agreed to it yet. Biden’s proposal states that Israel has already agreed to it, and it only remains for Hamas to agree. Some of Israels right-wing factions have openly opposed it however. Previously, Israel has maintained the stance that they would not agree to a ceasefire until Hamas is completely eradicated. Israeli U.N. diplomat Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly commented that it is only Hamas that is preventing the end to the war.

While both sides continue to work with mediators to come to an agreement, international support for the resolution and the end of the war in Gaza is high. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced that, with the approval of the resolution, they had voted for peace. UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward called the resolution an opportunity for peace, security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. Even Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that he did not wish to block the resolution that has so much support in the Arab world. He explained Russia’s abstention from the vote was due to the resolution’s “vague parameters.”

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