The resolution, which is the first of its kind, passed with 14 votes in favor and an American abstention, also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of hostages” and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the failure to implement said resolution ” would be unforgivable," in a post on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated in a post on the same platform that “The United States has abandoned its policy in the UN today,” referring to their previous support for resolutions linking a call for a ceasefire to the release of Israeli hostages, including the most recent one vetoed by Russia and China last week. The statement harshly criticized the US for not having vetoed Monday’s resolution despite it demanding a ceasefire not contingent upon the release of the hostages.
“This constitutes a clear departure from the consistent US position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war,” read the statement, adding that as previously threatened by Netanyahu in view of a potential US deviation from its traditional position since October 7, the Israeli delegation initially set to travel to Washington on Tuesday will be remaining in Israel.
On the other hand, in a statement following the passing of the resolution, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stressed that the US abstention “reaffirms the U.S. position that a ceasefire of any duration come as part of an arrangement to release hostages in Gaza.”
“Because the final text does not have key language we view as essential, notably a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it,” added Blinken, reiterating the “need to accelerate and sustain the provision of humanitarian assistance through all available routes.”
In relation to the resolution’s failure to condemn Hamas in relation to October 7, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN Gilad Erdan accused the UNSC of discriminating among victims, referring to the body’ condemnation of the attack carried out by ISIS in Moscow on Friday.
“Civilians, no matter where they live, deserve to enjoy music in safety and security, and the Security Council should have the moral clarity to condemn such acts of terror equally, without discrimination,” said Erdan.
In a statement on X the US Central Command announced having “conducted an air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on March 25, 2024, at 12:10 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.”
Earlier this month the UN World Food Programme (WFP) stressed earlier this month that “Half of the population in Gaza is experiencing the highest level of food insecurity,” warning that “famine is looming.”
Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza following the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7.
