For the first time since October 2023, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution (SCR 2728, 25 March 2024) that “demands” an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan as a first step to a “lasting sustainable ceasefire.” The resolution calls for the unconditional release of all hostages, lifting all barriers for humanitarian access to address needs, and demands that parties comply with their obligations under international law. This resolution was enabled because of a United States (US) abstention, following an impasse in the council after three US vetoes and two vetoes by Russia and China when they found the earlier tabled resolutions insufficient