The US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said that the endorsement by Hamas officials of the UN Security Council’s ceasefire resolution is a “hopeful sign” in the effort to get a truce deal over the line – but that the Hamas leadership inside Gaza needs to sign it off.
The resolution, backed by 14 of the 15 Security Council members – with Russia abstaining – backs a US proposal setting out conditions for a “full and complete ceasefire”, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
