Amid rising tensions in West Asia due to the Israel-Hamas war, which is in its eighth month now, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution vote on the US proposal for a permanent ceasefire and release of the hostages in Gaza on Monday (local time). The US-drafted text calls for Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal announced on May 31 by President Joe Biden that has already been accepted by Israel. The resolution was notably adopted with 14 votes in favor, zero against, and one abstention by Russia, as the country chose not to exercise its veto power.
The resolution that is adopted aims at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal in three phases, according to UN News. The first phase calls for an "immediate, full, and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, the return of the remains of some hostages who have been killed, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners." It demands that Israeli soldiers leave Gaza's "populated areas," that Palestinians be allowed to return to their homes and communities anywhere in the territory, including the north, and that humanitarian aid be distributed widely and safely.
Whereas Phase Two would see a permanent end to hostilities "in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza," according to UN News. Phase three, on the other hand, would have a "major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza" and the remains of an.