New York, 25 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) - UN Secretary General António Guterres has demanded the swift implementation of a new UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the release of all hostages.

"The Security Council just approved a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," Guterres wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.

"This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable."

The UN Security Council, the United Nation's most powerful body, adopted a resolution calling for "an immediate ceasefire" in Gaza for the first time on Monday.

The council expressed "deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."

It is also demanding the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" held by the militant Palestinian Hamas organization.

The United States, which holds veto power, abstained from the vote on Monday, thereby enabling the resolution to be adopted. The 14 other members of the committee voted in favour.

The resolution, which is binding under international law, further increases international pressure on the parties to the conflict, Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

It is unclear, though, whether it will have any influence on decisions made by the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Hamas regarding the course of the war.

Photo: archive