In a vote by the 15-member Security Council, 14 votes were in favor of the resolution put forward by the United States, while Russia abstained.
The decision noted the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, the United States and Qatar, and welcomed the three-phase proposal presented by Biden on May 31.
The decision, which said Israel accepted Biden’s proposal, also called on Hamas to accept and implement it.
The decision therefore follows a three-phase proposal: the first phase will see an immediate ceasefire, the release of women, elderly and wounded, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, the expansion of humanitarian assistance, the re-establishment of basic services and the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes throughout the region, including northern Gaza, and stated that the international community would provide the necessary housing.
Following the parties’ agreement, in the second phase, the decision called for the release of all remaining prisoners to end the crisis once and for all, and for Israel to withdraw from all of Gaza.
The decision also stipulates that the third phase will begin a multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and that the remains of the prisoners who died will be handed over.
The decision stated that if the first phase of negotiations continues for more than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue until the negotiations are completed, and stressed the importance of the parties adhering to the provisions of the agreement, which was supported by the UNSC and UN member states.
While supporting a two-state solution, the decision noted the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under a Palestinian Authority.
The reference to “buffer zones” has been removed
The first draft resolution that the United States launched into negotiations supported the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza but opposed the creation of a “buffer zone” in Gaza.
It is worth noting that in the final text submitted for the vote, the opposition to “buffer zones” was deleted.
On the other hand, the fact that Biden’s proposal was not explicitly included in the decision was also a point of contention that drew backlash.
Since October 7, the United States has vetoed a number of draft resolutions put forward by various Security Council members calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Biden’s ceasefire proposal
At a White House press conference on May 31, U.S. President Biden announced that Israel had made a new proposal regarding a ceasefire and prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
Biden said Israel would present a new three-phase ceasefire plan, the first of which would see Israel withdraw from Gaza settlements and release some of the prisoners being held by the parties during a six-week ceasefire.
Announcing that in a first phase, “Israeli troops will completely withdraw from Gaza settlements,” Biden said the same process would also see the release of prisoners, especially elderly people and women, and an expansion of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He said that Israel would withdraw from Gaza (in the first phase) and the temporary ceasefire would be transformed into a permanent end to the conflict, and once the parties reach an agreement on all issues and the ceasefire becomes permanent in the second phase, the third phase would begin.
He said that at this stage, the reconstruction process in Gaza would be on the agenda.