UNSC passes resolution demanding ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza during Ramadan; US abstains from voting
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), on Monday (Mar 25)passed a resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant groupHamas during themonth of Ramadan and anunconditional release of all hostages held in the besieged enclave.
What happened at the UNSC?
The UNSC adopted the resolution with14 council members voting in favour of the measure and the United States abstained.
The text demandedan “immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.”
The resolution passed also "emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale."
On Friday (Mar 22),the UNSC had turned down the resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage deal after Russia and China vetoed the US-led draft. Out of the 15 council members, 11 voted in favour of the resolution, but the vetoes stopped its passage.
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The measure passedon Monday isan alternative resolution drafted by the 10 elected members of the UNSC.Notably, the resolution on Friday was the first time that the US backed a draft that came up for a vote with the word “ceasefire” in it since the beginning of the war.
UN chief calls for implementation
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after the vote called for the implementation of the resolution and said "failurewould be unforgivable."
"The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," said the UN chief in a post on X.
Earlier on Monday, Guterressaid that there is growing international consensus to tell Israel that a ceasefire is necessary and that any ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza would lead to a humanitarian disaster.
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During his visit, Guterres also visited the Wihdat camp in Jordan where the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) provides health and education services.
“We must strive to keep the one-of-a-kind services that UNRWA provides flowing because that keeps hope flowing. In a darkening world, UNRWA is the one ray of light for millions of people,” said the UN chief. Jordan is home to around 2.4 million Palestinian refugees.
The funding for UNRWA hangs in balance after Israel accused a dozen of the agency’s staff members of being a part of the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel. This has led a number of countries including some of its biggest donors to pause the funding.
(With inputs from agencies)