US ambassador to UN: Resolution means Gaza ceasefire must be part of hostage deal

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield says that the meaning of the resolution passed today in the Security Council is that a ceasefire in Gaza must be part of an agreement to release the hostages.

In adopting the resolution, the Security Council “spoke out in support” of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring about an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, secure the immediate release of all hostages, and help alleviate the tremendous suffering of Palestinian civilians in need in Gaza, she says. “The United States fully supports these critical objectives.”

She adds: “In fact, they were the foundation of the resolution we put forward last week – a resolution that Russia and China vetoed.”

She urges council members to be clear that a ceasefire could have come “months ago” had Hamas been ready to release the hostages. “So today my ask to the members of this Council…is ‘speak out and demand unequivocally that Hamas accepts the deal on the table,’” she says.

The UNSC resolution demands an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip 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.