No Let-up in Gaza War Despite UN Ceasefire Resolution

Israeli troops battled Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with no sign of a let-up in the war despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an “immediate ceasefire”.
The resolution was adopted Monday after Israel’s closest ally the United States abstained.
It demands an “immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, leading to a “lasting” truce.
After the vote, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres led calls for the resolution to be implemented.
Israel reacted furiously to the US abstention, as it allowed the resolution to go through with all the other 14 Security Council members voting yes.
The resolution is the first since the Gaza war erupted to demand an immediate halt in the fighting.
Washington insisted that its abstention, which followed numerous vetoes, did not mark a shift in policy.
Hamas welcomed the Security Council resolution and reaffirmed its readiness to negotiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas said Prime Minister Benjamin and his cabinet were “entirely responsible for the failure of negotiation efforts and for preventing an agreement from being reached up until now”.
Israel has consistently defended its campaign despite mounting international criticism of its conduct.
Enraged by the United States’ abstention, it cancelled the visit of a delegation to Washington.