Hamas has agreed to a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and is prepared to negotiate the specifics, according to senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. This decision marks a significant step toward potentially ending the conflict with Israel.
In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, Abu Zuhri emphasized that it is now the responsibility of the United States to ensure that Israel adheres to the resolution. “The US administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution,” he said.
The resolution, drafted by the United States, received overwhelming support from the Security Council, with 14 of the 15 members voting in favor. Russia abstained. It calls for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners of war and detainees held by Israel.
According to the resolution, Israel has also accepted the ceasefire proposal, which aims to halt ongoing hostilities and facilitate humanitarian efforts in the region.
This recent resolution follows a pattern of previous UN ceasefire attempts, including one in March, which Israel did not fully adhere to. Additionally, Israel has been criticized for not complying with rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding its military operations in Gaza, particularly in the city of Rafah.
The acceptance of the resolution by Hamas could pave the way for negotiations to end the conflict, but effective implementation will require both parties to adhere strictly to the terms and for international mediators, particularly the US, to play an active role in ensuring compliance.
The focus now shifts to diplomatic efforts to solidify the ceasefire and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The involvement of the US is seen as crucial in applying pressure on Israel to comply with the resolution’s demands and to facilitate the withdrawal of troops and the exchange of prisoners.
As negotiations proceed, the international community will be closely monitoring the actions of both Israel and Hamas to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that steps are taken towards a more sustainable resolution to the conflict.
