Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned visit of an Israeli delegation to Washington following the United States’ abstention from using its veto against a Security Council resolution on Gaza issued today (Monday). Netanyahu considered the “U.S. failure to use its veto right during the Security Council vote, which called for a ceasefire, a clear retreat from its previous position.” Israel confirmed that Washington’s abstention from using the “veto” to thwart a Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip “harms the war effort and efforts to release hostages.” A statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office added that “in light of the change in the American stance, the prime minister has decided that the delegation (which he announced sending to Washington at the request of U.S. President Joe Biden) will not leave” Israel, as reported by the French Press Agency.
Meanwhile, the White House announced that America’s abstention from voting on the ceasefire resolution in Gaza does not represent a shift in U.S. policy. White House spokesperson John Kirby said: “I will discuss with the Israelis whether they will come to Washington or not.” He added: “We are very disappointed that the Israeli delegation is not visiting Washington for comprehensive talks on Rafah,” according to Reuters news agency.
A Pentagon spokesperson said that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin still plans to meet with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant tomorrow (Tuesday) in Washington.
Hamas welcomed the Security Council’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, according to the “Arab World News Agency.” The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also welcomed today (Monday) the Security Council’s resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, releasing detainees, and stated that it should be “permanent and sustainable.” The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described Security Council resolution 2728, adopted today, as “a step in the right direction to stop the war and Israel’s exit from Gaza.”
The European Union welcomed the Security Council’s resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan. France, today (Monday), urged action towards a permanent ceasefire between Israel and “Hamas” after the Security Council adopted a resolution calling for a truce during Ramadan for the first time. The permanent French representative to the United Nations, Nicolas de Rivière, said: “This crisis is not over. Our council will need to continue its actions and return to work immediately. After Ramadan, which ends in two weeks, it will have to establish a permanent ceasefire.”
