The United Nations Security Council passed a U.S.-backed resolution Monday endorsing a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The resolution supports a three-stage deal that President Joe Biden said would first return all hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinians in Israeli prisons and an Israeli withdrawal from “populated areas” in Gaza. Biden said in May 31 remarks that Israel had accepted the deal. Hamas has not agreed to the cease-fire.
"Today, this council sent a clear message to Hamas, accept the cease-fire deal on the table,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “Israel has already agreed to this deal and the fighting could stop today if Hamas would do the same. I repeat, the fighting could stop today."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has not agreed to a deal and that Biden left out requirements in his public remarks. His office called the deal a “nonstarter” in a June 1 statement.
“Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” read a June 1 statement from the Prime Minister’s office.
The resolution — approved by all members of the security council except Russia, which abstained — comes after Netanyahu said Biden left out requirements in his public remarks.
"The war will stop in order to bring hostages back, and afterward we will hold discussions,” Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee behind closed doors, according to Israeli media reports. “There are other details that the US president did not present to the public.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during a White House briefing that Biden’s speech at the end of last month “accurately reflects” the Israeli proposal.
"As for the gaps, I don't know what gaps you're referring to," Kirby told reporters last week.
The second phase of the deal would make the cease-fire permanent. The final stage includes steps to rebuild parts of Gaza affected by fighting in the region.
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said on Monday any cease-fire deal must be permanent and include the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The resolution opposes "any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of Gaza."
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