Countries call for swift implementation of UN ceasefire vote

UN Photo Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN, casts her abstention during voting on the resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan.

The U.N. Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza five months into the grinding war, despite Israel's ally the United States abstaining.

Here are some reactions to the resolution to halt fighting over the Muslim holy month of Ramadan with an aim for a "lasting" truce, which drew rare applause at the Security Council:

- United Nations -

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for swift implementation of a ceasefire after Israel voiced anger over the resolution.

"Failure would be unforgivable," Guterres wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

- Hamas -

Hamas welcomed the resolution to halt fighting in Gaza while saying it was ready to negotiate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides," the militant group said.

- Israel -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the U.N. vote "hurts both the war effort and the effort to release the abductees".

"It gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our abductees," the statement said. It also took aim at the U.S. abstention, calling it a "clear retreat" from its earlier position.

- Palestinian Authority -

Hussein al-Sheikh, minister for civilian affairs of the Palestinian Authority which has partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, hailed the resolution in a post on X.

"We call for a permanent cessation to this criminal war and Israel's immediate withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," he wrote.