The United Nations’ Security Council has passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza after the United States agreed not to veto the move.

For the first time since the war began, the UN’s key body demanded an end to hostilities with 14 votes in favour. The US abstained from the vote.

Britain backed the call for a ceasefire, which also included a demand for Hamas to release all Israeli hostages captured on Oct 7.

UN security council resolutions are legally binding but there is no indication Israel would abide by its terms.

All previous motions for a ceasefire have been blocked by the US, which has sought to avoid calling on Israel to stop fighting. Relations between Washington and the government of Benjamin Netanyahu have soured as the death toll has risen in Gaza.

Shortly after the vote, Mr Netanyahu said he would cancel a visit by his top advisers to Washington in response to the US refusing to veto the UN measure.

“This withdrawal [of the veto] hurts both the war effort and the efforts to release the hostages as it gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our abductees,” his office said in a statement.

Mr Netanyahu had agreed to send a delegation to the US to hear proposals by the Biden administration for an alternative to invading the southern city of Rafah.

The US envoy to the UN at the Security Council session called on Hamas to “accept the deal on the table”, calling for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of several dozen hostages.

A US National Security Council spokesman after the vote sought to reassure Israel that the American support for its fight against Hamas is unwavering.

John Kirby said: “Our vote does not represent a shift in our policy.”