The United Nations Security Council voted Monday unanimously to back a plan aimed at ending the war with Israel in Gaza, with the U.S. Secretary of State praising Hamas’ acceptance of the proposal as “a hopeful sign.”
Hamas has accepted the U.N. resolution that backs the three-phase plan introduced by President Joe Biden, a senior official of the Palestinian militant group said on Tuesday. The first phase of the plan, which has already started, entails a six-week ceasefire, during which Israel would withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza and Hamas would release several hostages, including those held in Israeli prisons. It would also involve the reconstruction of Gaza’s ravaged infrastructure and the end of Israel’s military assault.
But a Hamas counter-proposal for a long-term truce has yet to be finalized, and Israel’s government is facing increasing pressure from within the country to crush Hamas, particularly in light of the massive humanitarian crisis caused by the war, which has killed 1,170 people and left 500,000 displaced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the conflict will continue until he achieves a total victory against Hamas.
The United States ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, praised Hamas’ statement and said it “shows that Hamas is serious about peace.” The Security Council’s 14-0 vote on the resolution was an indication of growing frustration among significant powers in the face of a war that has left dozens dead on both sides.
The U.N. emphasized that the plan “represents the best opportunity for an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities, a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, the return of all Palestinian hostages, the lifting of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, and the resumption of its economic development.” It also calls for respect of international humanitarian law and human rights laws in any future talks between Israel and Hamas.
Algeria, the only Arab nation on the council, urged Israel and Hamas to adhere to it. Its representative, Amar Bendjama, said that based on the experience of his compatriots’ struggle against colonial occupation, he knows that “the Palestinian people will never accept living under occupation.”
The following steps of the plan will be discussions on how to rebuild Gaza after the fighting ends and on concrete steps toward creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel, which Israel has vowed not to allow. After meeting with Israel’s leaders in Tel Aviv, Blinken said conversations on those issues would continue on Tuesday afternoon and in the next couple of days. “We must have an enduring solution,” Blinken said, adding that he was encouraged by the commitment of the four Arab nations and Turkey to support Gaza in the long term. “That’s a significant step forward.” He also noted that the U.S. is aware of the reluctance of Israel’s fractious ruling coalition to embrace the initiative, including outright opposition by some hard-line ministers. “The United States remains committed to compelling this government to do what’s in its interest,” he said.
