World

UN Security Council passes resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution that demands a ceasefire in Gaza for the rest of Ramadan.

The Muslim holy month began on 10 March and is set to finish on 9 April – meaning the council is calling for a two-week ceasefire.

The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, is backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.

Before the vote, local media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to cancel a planned visit to Washington with a delegation if the US did not veto the proposal.

On Friday, Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

That resolution marked the first time the US has backed a resolution containing the word “ceasefire” during the war in Gaza, reflecting a toughening of the Biden administration’s stance toward Israel.

Today’s vote came as the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says there is a “growing consensus” that an Israeli ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah would be a “catastrophic humanitarian disaster”.

More on Gaza

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Articles You May Like

Anas Sarwar ‘right’ to distance himself from winter fuel cut, says Ruth Davidson
What can Rio 2024 really achieve in Biden’s final act, before the new show rolls into town?
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attempting to obstruct justice from jail, prosecutors say
Police force makes ‘improvements’ in treatment of women including new rules on strip searches – but questions remain after Sky News investigation
Over 100 politicians from multiple countries condemn China over detention of tycoon Jimmy Lai