Gaza: UN Security Council Adopts US Ceasefire Proposal
Gaza: UN Security Council Adopts US Ceasefire Proposal
The Facts
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution endorsing a US-backed ceasefire proposal that aims to end the eight-month Israel-Hamas war.
The resolution calls for an initial six-week ceasefire and the exchange of some Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners. The three-phase proposal was announced by US President Joe Biden last month and accepted by Israel, the US said.
The Spin
The adoption of the resolution is a major success for US diplomacy, but doubts remain. Parts of the Israeli government oppose elements of the plan, which is in line with what Hamas demanded in earlier failed negotiations and which also provides for a two-state solution. Netanyahu already indicated that he intends to continue military operations until Hamas is defeated. The US is calling not only on Hamas but also on Israel to seize the opportunity for peace.
While it now plays peacemaker, it was the US that used its veto power to block several earlier resolutions calling for an immediate Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. Only due to international pressure did Washington abstain from a vote in March, enabling the adoption of a ceasefire resolution. Meanwhile, another US veto blocked a Palestinian application for full UN membership. However, even if the US unilaterally backed Israel, any initiative that promotes peace must be welcomed.
