UNSC votes for "immediate" ceasefire as Gaza toll hits 750

The UN Security Council on Friday overwhelmingly voted for an "immediate and durable" ceasefire in Gaza calling for a full Israeli withdrawal, after three days of intensive and acrimonious discussions between the Arab nations and western powers.
    
Though it was not clear whether Israel would heed the Council's call, the resolution would increase pressure to stop military action for which it has faced widespread
condemnation.

Fourteen of the 15 members voted in favour of the British sponsored resolution, while the US abstained despite agreeing with the goals.
    
The resolution "stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza".
    
It "calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment" and "condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism".
  
It also asked for efforts to "prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the reopening of the crossing points (into Gaza)."
    
The resolution came on the 14th day of Israeli offensive in Gaza, as the international outcry reached a crescendo over the death of more than 750 Palestinians, including a large number of women and children, in the Tel Aviv's action.
    
Israeli operations have so far killed 758 Gazans of whom 257 are children and 56 women, and wounded 3,100 including  1,080 children and 452 women, according to Palestinian reports cited by the UN which its officials say are "credible."