Netanyahu cancels diplomats’ visit to Washington in protest over UN ceasefire vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a planned visit to Washington by a high-level delegation to protest Monday’s UN Security Council decision calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution passed 14-0 on Monday after the US decided not to use its veto power and instead abstained. The US has previously vetoed three resolutions demanding a ceasefire.

The resolution, which calls for a ceasefire during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, also demands the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. However, the measure does not link that demand to its call for a ceasefire.

International aid officials say the entire population of the Gaza Strip — 2.3 million people — is suffering from food insecurity and that famine is imminent in the hard-hit north.

More than 32,000 people have been killed in the territory, and more than 74,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its counts. It says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Some 1,200 people were killed on Oct. 7 when Palestinian militants launched a surprise attack out of Gaza, triggering the war, and abducted another 250 people. Hamas is still believed to be holding some 100 Israelis hostage, as well as the remains of 30 others.