Israel-Gaza war: US says it will ‘find ways’ to warn Israel against Rafah attack despite cancellation of visit – as it happened

For the first time the UN security council has voted for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza, after the US abstained, rather than using its veto as it has done on previous occasions. Russia and China have also previously vetoed texts.

The resolution that passed was written by the 10 elected members to the council, and proposed in the chamber by Mozambique’s representative.

Russia attempted to amend the text by restoring it to an earlier draft which included the word “permanent”, but the bid failed.

14 members of the UN security council voted for the resolution, while the US abstained.

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier threatened to cancel a planned delegation to Washington if the US did not exercise its veto.

In Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid has described prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s earlier threat to withdraw a delegation to the US if it didn’t use its veto at the UN security council as “alarming irresponsibility from a prime minister who has lost it.”

Algeria’s representative to the UN security council, Amar Bendjama, is speaking now. He said finally the security council was shouldering its responsibility.

He said:

I would like to thank all the council members for their flexibility and the constructive way that allowed us today to adopt this long awaited resolution. A resolution that calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, in order to put an end to the massacres that, unfortunately, are still ongoing after the past five months.

The UN security council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, avoiding a veto by any of the major powers.

Previous attempts to get a resolution passed had faced multiple hurdles as the US, China and Russia used their vetos. The US abstained.

More details soon …

The US has abstained

The US has voted against the proposed Russian amendment, 11 countries abstained including the UK. The Russian amendment, which is attempting to restore the text to an earlier draft, has failed.

The Russian representative says the changes to the text and the way it has been handled has been unacceptable. Russia is trying to restore the word “permanent” to the opening paragraph.

Russia is next to the floor, and has opened by saying Russia is disappointed with the way the text has been altered over the last 24 hours.

Mozambique’s representative has made the point that the ten elected members of the UN security council have repeatedly unanimously backed resolutions calling for a ceasefire. He said:

We have proposed the present resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire during the sacred period, leading to a permanent and sustainable ceasefire at the same time. The draft resolution demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and emphasises that humanitarian access must be allowed to address their medical and other humanitarian needs [in Gaza].

Mozambique representative Pedro Comissário Afonso is introducing the resolution, saying the situation in Gaza is a matter of gave concern to the entire international community.