On Monday, June 10, the UN Security Council adopted a comprehensive resolution to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, drafted by the United States, outlines a three-phase plan aimed at ending the ongoing war.
The initial phase calls for Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal announced by President Joe Biden on May 31, which Israel has already accepted. Following the vote, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield declared, “today, we voted for peace.” The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining
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The resolution urges both Israel and Palestine to fully implement the ceasefire proposal “without delay and without condition.” Phase two involves a permanent cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of all hostages in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.
Phase three initiates a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and includes the return of the remains of any deceased hostages to Israel.
The Security Council emphasized that if negotiations for phase one extend beyond six weeks, the ceasefire will remain in effect as long as talks continue. The resolution also rejects any demographic or territorial changes in Gaza, stressing the importance of the two-State solution where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully within secure and recognized borders.
The resolution highlights the necessity of unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield remarked that the international community is now united behind a deal to save lives, help Palestinian civilians rebuild, and reunite hostages with their families after eight months of captivity. She stated that there is an opportunity to chart a new course, with the US ensuring Israel fulfills its obligations, assuming Hamas accepts the deal.
