Hamas welcomes UN Security Council resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

Shafaq News/ Hamas said on Monday it welcomed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and that it stood ready to engage in an immediate swap of prisoners with Israel.

The resolution passed on Monday demands an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, after the United States abstained from the vote.

Israel launched a large-scale military offensive after Hamas waged a surprise attack on Israeli settlements near Gaza on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In an update on Monday, Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 32,333 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli bombardment in Gaza, with thousands more feared buried under rubble.

With the war now in its sixth month, the United Nations has warned that at least 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine and global pressure has been growing on Israel to allow more access for aid deliveries.