UN Issues First Demand For Ceasefire In Gaza Prompting Tensions

Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war started in October.

The United Nations security council issued its first demand for a ceasefire in Gaza Monday.

Israel was angered by the U.S. refusing to vote on the resolution.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war started in October.

The American ambassador to the UN explained, U.S. officials chose to abstain rather than veto the proposal “because it does fairly reflect our view that a ceasefire and the release of hostages come together.”