What's happened
The United Nations Security Council has approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution supporting a ceasefire plan for Gaza, with 14 members voting in favor and Russia abstaining. The three-phase plan, proposed by President Biden, aims to end the eight-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. While Hamas has welcomed the resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed skepticism. The Biden administration continues to work with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to bridge the gaps between the conflicting parties.
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What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Prime Minister Netanyahu described Hamas's response to the peace proposal as 'negative,' while Hamas insisted it was dealing with it 'positively.' The Washington Post highlighted the unanimous support for the resolution, noting that Russia abstained. The Japan Times reported that Hamas welcomed the resolution and expressed readiness to cooperate with mediators. The Times of Israel mentioned Israel's opposition to the resolution, despite not being a member of the Security Council. For a detailed account of the diplomatic efforts, read Karen DeYoung's article in the Washington Post.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for eight months, following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. The Biden administration has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken making multiple trips to the region. The three-phase plan proposed by President Biden includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The plan also outlines steps towards a permanent cessation of violence and the reconstruction of Gaza.
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More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Antony John Blinken is an American government official who served as United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2015 to 2017 and Deputy National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2015 under President Barack Obama.