The UN Security Council for the first time on Monday, March 25, demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States, Israel's ally which has vetoed previous bids, abstaining. The resolution, which demands an "immediate ceasefire" for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan that leads to a "lasting" truce, went through, with all other 14 Security Council members voting yes.
The vote comes after Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported "an immediate and sustained cease-fire" in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The vote was originally scheduled for Saturday morning, but its sponsors asked late Friday for a delay until Monday morning.
Ramadan began March 10 and ends April 9, which means that the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead "to a permanent sustainable cease-fire."