UN Security Council passes resolution calling for temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

The United Nations Security Council on Monday passed a resolution that calls for an immediate temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The resolution was introduced by the United States, and called for a three-step temporary ceasefire that would include the release of 120 hostages held by Hamas. The ceasefire would last six weeks, and would also focus on bringing a permanent end to the war.

Fourteen of the 15 councilmembers approved the resolution, with only Russia abstaining. However, China's representative claimed the text was “ambiguous," and questioned whether the phases could be carried out smoothly, concerns which were echoed by Israel's representative, according to The Hill.

“Israel will not engage in meaningless and endless negotiations which can be exploited by Hamas as a means to stall for time,” Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, the political coordinator for Israel’s mission to the UN, said. “The time has come for this council to finally hold Hamas accountable to finally place the blame where it belongs to finally condemn terror.”

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, urged Hamas to sign the ceasefire, claiming Israel had already agreed to the terms. 

“Today this council sent a clear message to Hamas, accept the ceasefire deal on the table. Israel has already agreed to this deal, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas would do the same. I repeat, the fighting could stop today,” Greenfield said. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back on previous claims that Israel agreed to the temporary ceasefire, claiming there would be no permanent ceasefire as long as Hamas exists.

“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed," the prime minister’s office said in a statement on June 1. "The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.” 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.