UN Security Council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Almost six months into the war, the United Nations Security Council has for the first time called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. 

The US abstained in Monday's Security Council vote, allowing the internationally legally binding resolution to pass. The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution.

The UN Security Council on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said the US had abstained because it did not agree with everything in the resolution and because it did not include a condemnation of Hamas.

^{Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour (C) arrives for the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on 25 March 2024 © ANGELA WEISS / AFP}