United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735


United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735, adopted on 10 June 2024, calls on Hamas to accept a proposed hostage and ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Gaza war. The resolution, presented by the United States, details a three-phase proposal and notes Israel's acceptance thereof. The implementation of the described agreement would result in the release of all hostages held by Hamas, establish a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and advance a multi-year reconstruction plan. Additionally, the resolution rejects any demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and reaffirms the Security Council's support for a two-state solution, envisioning the unification of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under Palestinian Authority governance. The resolution received unanimous support, with the Russian Federation abstaining from the vote.
In January 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a Gaza hostage and ceasefire agreement, which is heavily based on the three-phase proposal outlined and backed in Resolution 2735.

Background

On 31 May 2024, President Joe Biden publicly presented a hostage and ceasefire proposal in a televised address, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. efforts to resolve the conflict. Developed with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, the proposal includes a six-week ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. In exchange, Hamas would release some hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, and Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Later phases of the plan envision the release of all hostages, a full Israeli withdrawal, and a reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip. The details presented are a summary of a proposal Israel had transmitted to the mediators.
Despite the public appeal and the origin of this proposal, both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas did not publicly or formally accept the deal at the time of this resolution's adoption. Netanyahu argued that the publicly described terms are inaccurate and maintains that military operations would continue until Hamas is defeated.
The Biden administration exerted significant diplomatic pressure on Hamas through mediating countries, Egypt and Qatar. Both Qatar and Egypt have threatened Hamas leaders with possible arrest, freezing of assets, sanctions, and expulsion from Doha if they do not agree to the proposal on the table. These actions were part of a broader U.S. strategy to leverage regional influence to bring Hamas to the negotiating table and achieve a cessation of hostilities.
In Israel, political complexities affected the situation. Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners opposed any ceasefire and threatened to collapse the government if Netanyahu agreed to a deal. Opposition leaders offered support for a hostage agreement, but deep political divisions and Netanyahu's precarious position complicate his decision-making.

Voting record

Approved Abstained Opposed
Algeria

Reactions

Israel and Palestine

  • : Israel's representative to the U.N. neither confirmed nor denied Israel's acceptance of the hostage and ceasefire proposal, echoing the Prime Minister's statements that Israel intends to keep fighting until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled militarily.
  • : President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the resolution's adoption.
  • : The organization welcomed the contents of the resolution, stating that Hamas is ready to engage with mediators in further negotiations. Senior spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated Hamas has accepted the resolution.