The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza during Ramadan and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
This was the Council's first explicit call for an immediate ceasefire since Israel began a military offensive in the Gaza Strip following last October's brutal attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups against settlements in southern Israel, in which over 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.
Israel's military operation has since reportedly claimed over 32,000 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, displaced about 1.7 million and left massive destruction across the enclave.
The 15-member Security Council has failed in its four previous attempts to adopt a resolution on the Gaza crisis, most recently this past Friday, when permanent members China and Russia vetoed a proposal led by the Unted States (another permanent member, along with France and the UK rounding out the so-called 'P-5').
The US, which vetoed two earlier Council texts, abstained today, allowing the measure to pass. Washington's change in position reportedly came after intense weekend negotiations among Council members.
