Nearly six months after the war began, the UN Security Council called for an “immediate ceasefire” for the first time. Gaza strip required. The Security Council in New York issued a resolution to this effect. He called for a ceasefire until the end of the holy month of Ramadan in about two weeks. The resolution also calls on Hamas to release the hostages kidnapped from Israel immediately and unconditionally.

the United States of AmericaHe has veto power in the Security Council and abstained from voting. This enabled the resolution to be adopted. The remaining 14 members voted in favor of the project. Since the resolution is binding under international law, it increases pressure on Israel and Hamas.

However, it is questionable whether the Security Council resolution could actually have an impact on the course of the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the decision World Security Council The scheduled trip of an Israeli delegation to the United States.

The US State Department describes the travel cancellation as unfortunate

Even before the vote, he had threatened to cancel the trip if the United States did not veto the resolution. Originally, the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, and Israel National Security Advisor Zakhi Hanegbi must travel to the United States. There they wanted representatives of the US government to present alternatives to the planned Israeli ground attack on the southern Gaza Strip. Plans to do so are being criticized by the United States and other allies of Israel.

The US State Department said the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the trip was “surprising and unfortunate.” The agency described the large-scale Israeli invasion of Rafah as a mistake that would weaken Israel's security.

Hamas welcomed the UN decision, but stressed that it itself calls for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The terrorist organization said: „We confirm our readiness to participate in an immediate prisoner exchange that will lead to the release of prisoners from both sides.” However, under the aforementioned “prisoner exchange”, the Islamists intend to release a large number of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel in exchange for hostages.

Previous decisions had failed due to US resistance

Efforts to get the UN Security Council to demand this truce It has failed so far mainly because of US resistance. Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, the United States government, as Israel's closest ally, has repeatedly opposed the ceasefire.

However, given the high number of civilian deaths and the threat of famine in parts of the Gaza Strip, the US government recently changed course and increased its pressure on Israel. US President Joe Biden has also become increasingly critical, for example, regarding the planned Israeli ground attack on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Last Friday, the US government called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” for the first time in a decision that Russia and China vetoed. The draft resolution did not go far enough for the two states that have veto power, as in their view the text was too supportive of Israel and not binding enough.

Germany, among other countries, reacted positively to the resolution that has now been adopted. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Green Party) said on the sidelines of a visit to Jerusalem that she “feels comfortable about the adoption of the resolution because every day is important.” This applies to the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and to the starving people in the Gaza Strip. Birbock had previously reiterated its demand for an immediate ceasefire and also opposed plans to attack Rafah.

It is unlikely to impose sanctions on Israel

The resolution now adopted focuses on calling for “an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, respected by all parties.” The text says this should lead to a “permanent and sustainable ceasefire.” In addition, “grave concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip” was stressed. Aid deliveries to the civilian population must be expanded.

The resolution was introduced by the ten current non-permanent members of the Security Council. The vote scheduled for Saturday was postponed at short notice to buy more time for negotiations.

Adoption of the resolution in the Security Council requires the votes of at least nine of the fifteen member states. In addition, there should be no veto power by the permanent members, the United States of America, Russia, China, France and Great Britain. The committee's decisions are binding under international law. If they are ignored, the committee can impose sanctions. But in the case of Israel, this is unlikely due to the United States' veto power.