The United Nations Security Council held a dedicated meeting on Thursday to address the issue of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, coinciding with Israel’s ongoing Rafah operation. The United States condemned the hostage-taking by the Palestinian Islamist group on October 7, calling it a “psychological tool of terrorism.” US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield vowed that efforts to secure the release of every hostage would not cease.
The unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7 last year resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel, with more than 200 people taken hostage. While several hostages were released during a brief truce, 132 remain in captivity, according to Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan.
Key developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict include:
The UN Security Council passed three resolutions on Thursday, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan questioned the Council’s effectiveness, asking, “Have you imposed sanctions…? What action has been taken?”
Shoshan Haran, a former hostage, shared her experience of being held by Hamas for 50 days. She emphasized the need to prevent the normalization of such acts of terrorism.
The US House of Representatives, led by Republicans, passed a bill compelling President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, despite his delay in bomb shipments due to concerns over Palestinian casualties. The US State Department recently moved a $1 billion weapons aid package for Israel into congressional review.
The Israel Security Assistance Support Act passed with a vote of 224 to 187, largely along party lines. The Act, although unlikely to become law, highlighted the US political divide over Israel policy in an election year.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring the continuous flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to resolve the hostage crisis and the broader conflict persist.
