U.N. Adopts Gaza Resolution

Late Thursday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Resolution 1860 "condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism."

The resolution passed overwhelmingly with 14 of its 15 members voting in favor of it. Four of its five permanent members: China, Russian, France and Great Britain supported the resolution with only the United States choosing to abstain (Video). The abstention by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had come as a bit of a surprise as there had been expectations of a unanimous vote. The U.S had vetoed an earlier attempt at a cease-fire that had been brought forth by the Libyans insisting on Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas rocket fire.

UN Resolution 1860 called for an ``immediate, durable'' ceasefire in the Gaza Strip leading to the ``full withdrawal'' of Israeli forces.The text ``stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza''.

It ``calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment'' and welcomes initiatives aimed at ``creating and opening humanitarian corridors and other mechanisms for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid''.

Resolution 1860 also ``condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism'' and urged member states to intensify efforts for arrangements and guarantees in Gaza ``to sustain a durable ceasefire and calm, including to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the reopening of the crossing points (into Gaza)''.

It ``welcomes the Egyptian initiative (the three-point truce proposal unveiled by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday) and other regional and international efforts that are under way''.

There had been a frenzy of diplomatic maneuvering to try and put an end to 13 days of bloody fighting that has left nearly 800 Palestinians dead and over 3200 injured - 35% of whom were children. 13 Israelis had also been killed since the beginning of the conflict December 27th including 9 soldiers. The fighting has become increasingly deadly in recent days after the start of an Israeli ground offensive. Israeli targeting of U.N institutions, including an attack on a school that killed 40 civilians who had huddled away from the fighting and the death of two additional U.N workers today, had forced suspension of its humanitarian mission in Gaza.