Hamas Agrees to UN Ceasefire Resolution, Official Announces

Hamas has agreed to a UN ceasefire resolution and is open to discussing its implementation, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri announced today. Abu Zuhri highlighted the responsibility of the United States to ensure Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire terms.

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UN Ceasefire Resolution Tests US Commitment to Peace Efforts

“The US administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in implementation of the UN Security Council resolution,” Abu Zuhri stated. 

Russia did not cast a vote on the resolution, which was supported by 14 of the 15 Security Council members and put forth by the United States. It includes provisions for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the exchange of prisoners of war for detainees held by Israel. 

Despite Israel’s stated acceptance of the ceasefire, there are concerns due to its previous failures to honour UN ceasefire resolutions, including one from March. Furthermore, Israel has disregarded the order from the International Court of Justice to stop activities in Gaza, especially in Rafah. 

There have been serious humanitarian effects from the fighting. Over 83,000 Palestinians have been injured, and over 36,700 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The UN reports that around 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed, displacing two million of its 2.3 million residents.