INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian
militants Hamas and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages after the United States abstained from the vote.The remaining 14
council members voted for the resolution, which was proposed by the 10 elected members of the body.Washington had been averse to the word
ceasefire earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip and had used its veto power to shield United States ally Israel as it
retaliated against Hamas for an Oct
7 attack that Israel says killed 1,200 people.But amid growing global pressure for a truce in the war that has killed more than 32,000
Palestinians, the United States abstained from the vote on Monday to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire for the
month of Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks.It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages
Israel says Hamas took 253 hostages during its Oct
protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian
would cancel a planned delegation to Washington if the United States did not veto the resolution.The United States has vetoed three draft
council resolutions on the war in Gaza
It has also previously abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost aid to Gaza and called for extended
pauses in fighting.Russia and China have also vetoed two United States drafted resolutions on the conflict - in October and on
Friday.Source: Reuters--Agencies
