On Monday, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution drafted by the US, supporting President Joe Biden's proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas expressed its readiness to work with mediators to implement the plan's principles, as stated in their official statement. Russia chose not to vote, while the other 14 council members voted in favor. The US finalized the resolution's text after six days of negotiations among the council. Biden had proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan on May 31, which he referred to as an Israeli initiative. Some Security Council members were unsure if Israel had agreed to the plan to halt the conflict in Gaza. The resolution endorses the new ceasefire proposal, urging both Israel and Hamas to accept it and implement its terms immediately and unconditionally. US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated before the vote, "We're waiting on Hamas to agree to the ceasefire deal it claims to want. With every passing day, needless suffering continues." The resolution also specifies that if negotiations for phase one exceed six weeks, the ceasefire will persist as long as negotiations continue. In March, the council demanded an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. For months, negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been attempting to broker a ceasefire. Hamas seeks a permanent end to the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area, home to 2.3 million people. In response to Hamas' attacks, Israel initiated a multi-faceted assault on the Palestinian territory, resulting in the deaths of over 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Israeli records indicate that more than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, with more than 100 believed to still be captive in Gaza.