The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution that demands a ceasefire in Gaza for the rest of Ramadan.

The Muslim holy month began on 10 March and is set to finish on 9 April – meaning the council is calling for a two-week ceasefire, though the draft said the pause in fighting should lead “to a permanent sustainable ceasefire”.

The US abstained from the vote, with the 14 other council members – including Russia, China and the UK – voting in favour.

The resolution also demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages.

Before the vote, local media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to cancel a planned visit to Washington with a delegation if the US did not veto the proposal.

On Friday, Russia and China vetoed a US-sponsored resolution that would have supported “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

That resolution marked the first time the US has backed a resolution containing the word “ceasefire” during the war in Gaza, reflecting a toughening of the Biden administration’s stance toward Israel.

Israel-Hamas war: Doctors facing ‘unimaginable’ situations in Gaza hospital, say aid groups

Israel to block aid convoys to northern Gaza, says UNRWA boss

US Gaza ceasefire vote – why did it fail?

After the vote, the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said on social media that the resolution “must be implemented”, adding: “Failure would be unforgivable.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

Raab condemns China’s ‘ongoing non-compliance’ over Hong Kong Man loses hand after violent clashes between police and ravers in France ‘Inconsistent with our values’: Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories Taliban declares ‘amnesty’ in Afghanistan and urges women to join government Thousands evacuated as wildfire races through forests near French Riviera Baby-faced dictator to nuclear hard man: A decade of Kim Jong-Un Five children killed in bouncy castle tragedy are named – as families pay tribute Travis Scott set to headline Brazil festival a day after first anniversary of Astroworld crush Ukraine’s World Cup challenge captivated its citizens briefly – but the war matters more Far from the glitz of the Qatar World Cup a migrant worker’s family grieves Police and students clash in India as tensions rise over banned BBC Modi documentary Hope remains Libya flood survivors can be found as ‘cries heard’ beneath rubble