The United Nations Security Council on Monday referred to as for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a primary for the reason that begin of the Israel-Hamas war in October final yr. Israel’s foremost ally, the United States, abstained within the vote.

After the vote, Israel lashed out on the US, saying “The United States has abandoned its policy in the UN today.”

In an announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned, “Just a few days ago, it (the US) supported a Security Council resolution that linked a call for a ceasefire to the release of hostages.China and Russia vetoed that resolution partly because they opposed a ceasefire that was linked to the release of hostages. Yet today, Russia and China joined Algeria and others in supporting the new resolution precisely because it had no such linkage.Regrettably, the United States did not veto the new resolution, which calls for a ceasefire that is not contingent on the release of hostages.”

Israel termed US abstaining from voting as a “clear departure from the consistent US position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war.”

“Today’s resolution gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages, thus harming both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages,” Israel mentioned.

Benjamin Netanyahu added that he would not now comply with by means of on plans to ship an Israeli delegation to Washington to debate a deliberate Israeli navy operation within the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah.

Meanwhile, the White House denied that the US abstention mirrored a change in its coverage.

White House nationwide safety spokesperson John Kirby mentioned Israel’s choice to drag out of the assembly was “disappointing”.

“It’s disappointing. We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington DC to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah.”

“Nothing has changed about our view that a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a major mistake,” Kirby mentioned.

The conflict in Gaza began in October final yr following an assault by the Hamas terrorist group on Israel. The retaliatory assault by Israel has claimed the lives of 1000’s of Gazans, whereas displacing several millions.