United Nations passes Gaza cease-fire resolution

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding an “immediate” cease-fire in Gaza, according to a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The resolution also demands the immediate release of all hostages Palestinian militants are holding in Gaza. The United States abstained from the vote on Monday. Last week, it had proposed a cease-fire resolution of its own.

Why did the U.S. resolution fail? Russia and China voted against a U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza on Friday. The U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Friday criticized Russia and China’s opposition to the bill, saying their governments “refuse to condemn Hamas for burning people alive, for gunning down innocent civilians at a concert, for raping women and girls,” and for taking hundreds of hostages.

Dig deeper: Read Lael Weinberger’s column in WORLD Opinions about plans to fast-track the establishment of a Palestinian state and fears that creating such a state could incentivize terrorism.