Editor's Pick | United Nations calls for ceasefire in Gaza during month of Ramzan

In a first, the United Nations Security Council on Monday, issued a demand to halt the fighting in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, after a resolution which passed 14-0. The U.S. decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained on the resolution as the war in Gaza continued to rage on for the fifth consecutive month. The UN resolution drew an immediate protest from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also cancelled a planned visit to Washington by a high-level delegation. Mr. Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with plans for an expected ground invasion of the strategic Gaza town of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the war. The resolution demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 surprise attack in southern Israel, but does not link that demand to the ceasefire during Ramzan, which ends on April 9. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. had been “consistent” in its support for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal and claimed that the reason from US abstaining was the ‘absence of condemnation of Hamas’. The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution on Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The U.S. warned that the resolution approved on Monday could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. Because Ramzan ends next month, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead “to a permanent sustainable cease-fire”. Monday’s resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the UN. More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Hindu’s Editorials Sordid scheme: On the electoral bond scheme, electoral financing Terror in Moscow: On concerns over the Islamic State The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut is among the names in the BJP’s fifth list of 111 candidates. From which State would Ranaut contest? Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh Himachal Pradesh To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 26 March 2024 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]Open in browser [Mail icon]More newsletters United Nations calls for ceasefire in Gaza during month of Ramzan In a first, the United Nations Security Council on Monday, [issued a demand to halt the fighting in Gaza]( calling for a ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, after a resolution which passed 14-0. The U.S. decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained on the resolution as the war in Gaza continued to rage on for the fifth consecutive month. The UN resolution drew an immediate protest from Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu, who also cancelled]( a planned visit to Washington by a high-level delegation. Mr. Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with plans for an expected ground invasion of the strategic Gaza town of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the war. The resolution demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 surprise attack in southern Israel, but does not link that demand to the ceasefire during Ramzan, which ends on April 9. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. had been “consistent” in its support for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal and claimed that the reason from US abstaining was the ‘absence of condemnation of Hamas’. The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution on Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The U.S. warned that the resolution approved on Monday could hurt negotiations to halt hostilities by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. Because Ramzan ends next month, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead “to a permanent sustainable cease-fire”. Monday’s resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the UN. [More than 32,000 Palestinians]( in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Sordid scheme: On the electoral bond scheme, electoral financing]( [Arrow][Terror in Moscow: On concerns over the Islamic State]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut is among the names in the BJP’s fifth list of 111 candidates. From which State would Ranaut contest? - Maharashtra - Madhya Pradesh - Uttar Pradesh - Himachal Pradesh To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[IS-Khorasan’s attacks in Russia, Iran point to an Islamic State resurgence | Analysis] IS-Khorasan’s attacks in Russia, Iran point to an Islamic State resurgence | Analysis]( [[(THND compiled)BRS leader Kavitha sent to judicial custody till April 9 by Delhi court] (THND compiled)BRS leader Kavitha sent to judicial custody till April 9 by Delhi court]( [[This is how Meta is limiting political content shown on Instagram] This is how Meta is limiting political content shown on Instagram]( [[What is the district election management plan? | Explained] What is the district election management plan? | Explained]( Copyright© 2024, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( Manage your newsletter subscription preferences [here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](