US comments on ceasefire following UN Security Council meeting

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Following the meeting, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield explained why they did not vote "yes" for a ceasefire in the vote. 

Greenfield took the floor after the adoption of the resolution submitted by the 10 non-permanent member countries in the 15-member UNSC.

AFTER THE FIRST HOSTAGE

Stating that the resolution did not include some key issues that the US had requested to be added, such as the condemnation of Hamas, Greenfield noted that they did not vote "yes" for this reason.

Greenfield stated, "However, as I have said before, we fully support some of the critical objectives of this non-binding resolution".

"We believe it is important for the Council to clearly state that a ceasefire must come with the release of all hostages," Greenfield said, adding that a ceasefire in Gaza could begin immediately with the release of the first hostage by Hamas.

DECISIONS ARE BINDING IN THE UNSC

According to Article 25 of the UN Charter, decisions taken by the UNSC are considered binding.

The draft resolution prepared by the non-permanent members of the 15-member UNSC—Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Switzerland—was put to a vote today and was adopted with 14 "yes" votes and 1 "abstention." The US had abstained from voting.

News Source: 12punto