UN security council endorses US-backed

Only Russia abstains in vote on plan calling for hostage and prisoner swap in six-week ceasefire leading to wider deal

The UN security council has adopted a resolution calling for Hamas to agree to a three-phase hostage-for-ceasefire proposal outlined by Joe Biden, in a rare show of consensus by major powers.

Fourteen council members voted for the resolution and only Russia abstained on the US-drafted resolution which calls for an initial exchange of elderly, sick or women hostages for Palestinian detainees held by Israel in the course of an initial six-week ceasefire. The ceasefire would evolve into a permanent end to hostilities and the release of all hostages through intensive discussions between the two parties. A third phase would involve the launch of a major reconstruction effort.