The U.N. Security Council on Monday approved its first resolution endorsing a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the eight-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Fourteen members of the council voted in favour of the measure, with only Russia abstaining. Russia is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council with veto power over resolutions.

The resolution welcomes a three-phase ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden last month. This proposal calls for an initial six-week ceasefire and the exchange of some Israeli captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The second phase would involve a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining captives. The third phase would focus on a reconstruction effort for the devastated Gaza Strip.

Nate Evans, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, noted in a statement ahead of the vote that the plan would enable a pause in fighting, the freeing of a number of hostages, and an immediate surge in humanitarian assistance, among other things.

"Israel has accepted this proposal and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," his statement continued. "Doing so would help save lives and the suffering of civilians in Gaza as well as the hostages and their families. Council Members should not let this opportunity to pass by and must speak with one voice in support of this deal."

Hamas released a statement following the vote saying they "welcome" what was included in the draft resolution "regarding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote the council “sent a clear message to Hamas to accept the cease-fire deal on the table,” reiterating that Israel has accepted the deal which is supported by countries across the world.

“The fighting could stop today, if Hamas would do the same,” she told the council. “I repeat, this fighting could stop today.”

Whether Israel and Hamas agree to the three-phase ceasefire plan remains uncertain, but the resolution's strong support in the U.N.'s most powerful body adds pressure on both parties to approve the proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that Biden presented only parts of the proposal and insisted that any talk of a permanent ceasefire before dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities was a non-starter.

Earlier on Monday, leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad met in Qatar to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal. They later stated that any agreement must lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza, reconstruction efforts, and a significant exchange of prisoners between Gaza and Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.

Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, said that while the text isn't perfect, “it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians, as the alternative is (the) continuing killing and suffering of the Palestinian people.”

“We voted for this text to give diplomacy a chance to reach an agreement that will end the aggression against the Palestinian people that has lasted far too long,” Bendjama said.

The vote comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinkenis in the Middle East to further negotiate the cease-fire and hostage agreement.

As he departed Cairo earlier Monday for Tel Aviv, Blinken called it a "critical moment."

"My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region: If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say yes," Blinken told reporters. "If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes.

"If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes," he continued. "If you want to put present Palestinians and Israelis alike on the path to more durable peace and security, if you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes."

Image source: AFP