UNSC Resolution S/2025/353: The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

UN Security Council draft resolution S/2025/353, submitted on June 4, 2025, expresses deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, demands the release of all hostages, full access and safe distribution of humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and endorses ongoing mediation efforts to implement a comprehensive ceasefire agreement leading to long-term reconstruction and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The resolution avoids explicitly defining Hamas as a party to the conflict. It does not include a clear condemnation of its atrocities, including the October 7 terrorist attack and its use of the Gazan civilian population as human shields, including among medical teams and in humanitarian facilities. The resolution’s demand for an immediate ceasefire is not conditioned on the release of the hostages, thereby providing Hamas with an incentive to continue rejecting any proposed framework; it draws a disturbing equivalence between the hostages and Palestinian detainees. 14 of the 15 council members voted in favor. However, the United States exercised its veto, blocking its adoption.

The Security Council,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling the relevant resolutions of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,

Expressing grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation, including the risk of famine identified in the IPC report, and the latest developments in the Gaza strip, and reaffirming that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including international human rights law, as applicable and international humanitarian law,

Expressing also support to the efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States of America to immediately bring parties back to implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its phases as reflected in Security Council resolution 2735 (2024) leading to a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the return of all remains, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as well as the start of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza,

Demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties;
Recalls its demand for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups;
Demands the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its safe and unhindered distribution at scale, including by the UN and humanitarian partners, throughout the Gaza Strip as well as the restoration of all essential services in line with international humanitarian law, the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council;
Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Source: “UN Security Council Meetings & Outcomes Tables,” United Nations, (June 4, 2025).