In a significant development, the United Nations Security Council has voted in favor of a ceasefire plan proposed by the United States to resolve the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The resolution, supported by 14 of the 15 Security Council members, outlines conditions for a "full and complete ceasefire" between the two parties involved.

The US-proposed plan calls for the release of hostages held by Hamas, the return of deceased hostages' remains, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners. While Israel has accepted the ceasefire proposal, the resolution urges Hamas to agree to the terms as well.

Divided into three phases, the plan aims to bring an end to hostilities, ensure a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and initiate a long-term reconstruction program for the heavily devastated region. This multi-year reconstruction plan is seen as crucial to rebuild Gaza, which has been extensively damaged throughout the conflict.

The resolution follows President Joe Biden's announcement weeks ago, stating that Israel had agreed to a three-phase plan leading to a permanent ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticized certain aspects of the resolution, asserting his commitment to continuing military operations until Hamas is completely eliminated.

The US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed her appreciation for the Security Council's backing of the ceasefire plan, remarking, "Today we voted for peace." Meanwhile, the UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward characterized the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" and stressed the urgency to end the suffering endured by the Palestinian people.

This recent resolution comes after a previous one passed by the UN Security Council on March 25th, calling for a ceasefire. Unlike earlier instances where the US vetoed similar measures, it did not block the March resolution. Netanyahu had criticized this decision, accusing the US of abandoning its previous stance, which linked a ceasefire to the release of hostages.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted when Hamas initiated an attack on southern Israel on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. Since Israel's retaliatory response, the death toll in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has surpassed 37,000.

However, despite the latest resolution and ongoing negotiations, the demands of both Israel and Hamas remain unresolved. The recent rescue operation in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of scores of Palestinians, with four Israeli hostages successfully rescued.

The decision by the Security Council reflects the deep political divisions within Israel concerning the war in Gaza, highlighting the challenges in bridging the significant gaps to achieve a lasting solution.

As the world watches, hopes for a lasting peace rise, urging both parties to seize this opportunity and work towards a future of security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.