Hamas supports UN resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

Palestinian militants announced on Monday night that Hamas has agreed to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Security Council adopted the US-backed resolution with 14 votes in favour, while Russia abstained. Washington finalised the text of the draft on Sunday.

"Hamas welcomes the content of the Security Council resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, complete withdrawal, prisoner exchange, reconstruction, return of displaced people to their residential areas, and rejection of any demographic change or reduction in Gaza," the group said in a statement quoted by Reuters. "We reiterated the need for support for the residents of the Strip."

Hamas also said it was ready to enter into indirect negotiations with Israel on the implementation of principles "consistent with the demands of the people and the resistance."

The White House said Israel had already accepted the ceasefire proposal. US President Joe Biden claimed that the three-phase plan was originally Israel's idea.

The UN resolution calls on both sides to "immediately and unconditionally fully implement the terms."

The first phase of the proposal calls for Israel and Hamas to begin negotiations during a six-week "pause" in the fighting. The resolution states that if the talks go beyond the six-week mark, a ceasefire will apply as long as the talks continue.

Israel would withdraw from populated areas in the Gaza Strip and release some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for some of the hostages held by Hamas.

The second phase would see the return of all remaining hostages, while the third phase would include the handover of the bodies of the dead prisoners and a US-led "large-scale reconstruction plan" for the Palestinian enclave.