The United Nations Security Council made its inaugural call to end the conflict in Gaza on Monday, urging for a cease-fire during the Holy month of Ramadan. The UN ceasefire vote prompted an immediate protest from the Israeli Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the planned to visit Washington by a high-level delegation and accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The resolution passed 14-0 after the U.S. decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained on the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive by Hamas Oct 7 surprise attack in Southern Israel. But the measure does not link that demand to the cease-fire during Ramadan which ends April 9.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. had been “consistent”n in its support for a cease-fire as a part of the hostage deal.
“The reason we abstained is because this resolution text did not condemn Hamas,” Kirby said.
The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Hamas conflict
