The UN Security Council for the first time on Monday demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, with the United States, Israel’s ally which has vetoed previous bids, abstaining.

The resolution, which demands an “immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing holy month of Ramzan that leads to a “lasting” truce, went through, with all other 14 Security Council members voting “yes”.

France demands a “permanent ceasefire”, urging work on a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“This crisis is not over. Our council will have to remain mobilized and immediately get back to work. After Ramadan, which ends in two weeks, it will have to establish a permanent ceasefire,” said France’s UN representative, Nicolas de Riviere.

What does abstention for the US means?

The US abstention from a vote on a UN Security Council resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire does not signal a change in Washington’s policy, the White House said Monday.

It does not represent a “shift in our policy,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists, saying the US backs a ceasefire but abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas.

The United States said that a ceasefire voted for Monday by the United Nations can “only” be implemented once Hamas begins releasing hostages it still holds.

“A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said after the United States, which vetoed previous drafts, abstained in the UN Security Council vote. “This is the only path to securing a ceasefire.”

Israel’s response to US abstention

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office that the US abstention on a UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire call hurt Israel’s fight against Hamas and the effort to release hostages.

“It gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our abductees,” Netanyahu said, cancelling the departure of a delegation set to leave for consultations in Washington.