United States President Barack Obama and the United Nations Security Council have both called for an unconditional ceasefire from Israel this morning. In a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Obama “made clear the strategic imperative of instituting an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire that ends hostilities now,” according to a White House statement.
The UN Security council released a statement also calling for an unconditional ceasefire. Their plan is based on an Egyptian proposal that would put a temporary end to ‘hostilities’ and would open talks about the future of the Gaza Strip. This includes possibly opening Gaza’s borders.
Despite the rising pressure to end the conflict, both Israeli and Palestinian representatives raised concerns about the proposal.
“They should have adopted a resolution a long time ago to condemn this aggression and to call for this aggression to be stopped immediately,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian representative at the UN said, also calling for a more formal resolution.
On the Israeli side, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ron Prosor felt the Security Council’s statement was unfair towards Israel.
“Miraculously, it doesn’t mention Hamas,” he said, “It doesn’t mention the firing of rockets. Those things are lacking in this statement.”
Pope Francis also weighed in on the conflict, begging both sides to end the fighting.
“Stop, please stop! I beg you with all my heart,” he said in an unscripted speech.
Although he is losing some international support, Netanyahu’s approval rating has risen to 82% among Israelis, according to a tweet from Jerusalem Post reporter Herb Keinon. This is up about 25% from his previous approval rating.
Although a temporary ceasefire is in place, a rocket was fired out of Gaza towards Ashkelon this morning. The Israeli military responded with a rocket of their own, fired at Beit Lahia. No casualties have been reported from these attacks yet.
