what to remember from Monday March 25

For the first time since October 7, the UN Security Council passed a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.

This is a first since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday March 25 demanding A “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. A decision which was criticized by Israel, but welcomed by many leaders. At the same time, Israeli bombings continued in Gaza and Rafah, killing 107 people in 24 hours, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. Franceinfo takes stock of the main information relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A resolution adopted at the UN Security Council

Meeting in New York (United States), the UN Security Council adopted, with 14 votes in favor and one abstention, a resolution calling for a “immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan”, qwhich already started two weeks ago, in Gaza, and “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.

Similar calls had already been blocked several times, notably by the United States, which abstained this time. The resolution was supported by Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Slovenia and Switzerland, that is to say the non-permanent members of the Security Council of the ‘UN.

US abstention denounced by Israel

Historical allies of Israel, the United States had, until then, systematically opposed the term “ceasefire” in UN resolutions, blocking three texts to this effect. In recent weeks, however, they have changed their position.

Immediately after the adoption of this resolution, Israel canceled the visit of a delegation that was expected in Washington, criticizing Washington’s abstention. “This is a clear step back from the consistent position of the United States in the Security Council since the start of the war” on October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

A resolution rejected by Israel but welcomed by many leaders

Israel still rules out a ceasefire. “We do not have the moral right to stop the war as long as there are hostages in Gaza”assured Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday, visiting the United States, four months after a brief truce which allowed the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

On the other hand, the Islamist movement Hamas has “welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire”. Same tone for the Palestinian Authority which also requested “the definitive end to this criminal war”.

The vote on this text was welcomed by the leaders of Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, Turkey, South Africa, Mexico, Spain and Colombia, among others. On the French side, the head of diplomacy Stéphane Séjourné hoped that the resolution would be “fully implemented”. As for the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, she judged that the implementation of this resolution was “vital for the protection of all civilians”.

Israeli military operations continue

“This resolution must be implemented. Failure will be unforgivable”, reacted UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. But on Monday, the Israeli army continued its operations, claiming to have killed pmore than 20 Palestinian fighters in 24 hours around al-Chifa hospital in Gaza and of al-Amal hospital in Khan Younes. LIsraeli bombings in these areas left 107 dead in 24 hours, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. In total, 32,333 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed since the start of the offensive, according to the same source.

At least two large hospitals, accused by Israel of housing Hamas bases, are targeted by army operations: the al-Chifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest in the territory, and the al-Chifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest in the territory, and the al-Chifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest in the territory, and the Amal of Khan Younes. The Palestinian Red Crescent indicated on Monday that only nine patients and a few civilians remained in the al-Amal hospital, apart from the staff, after the evacuation on Sunday of the displaced people who had found refuge there.