The UN Security Council has urged for an "immediate cessation of hostilities" in Gaza, following a shift in the US stance where it refrained from vetoing the motion.

Furthermore, the resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Previously, the Council had been unable to reach a consensus on advocating for a ceasefire since the conflict began in October.

The US's decision indicates a growing rift between itself and its ally Israel regarding Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

According to a statement from his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu interpreted the move as a departure from the initial position of the United States.

The statement also mentions Netanyahu's choice to cancel planned meetings between an Israeli delegation and US officials in Washington scheduled for the current week.

During the vote, the US abstained, while the remaining 15 members of the council voted in favor of the resolution.

It had previously blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire, saying such a move would be wrong while delicate negotiations for a truce and hostage releases were continuing between Israel and Hamas.

But on Thursday it tabled its own draft, which for the first time called for a ceasefire, marking a hardening of its stance towards Israel.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US' decision to let the resolution pass did not mean a "shift in our policy". He said the US backed a ceasefire but did not vote in favour of the resolution because the text did not condemn Hamas.

The US had previously been accused of using its power of veto to shield Israel at the UN. However it has become increasingly critical of Israel over the escalating death toll in Gaza, where more than 32,000 people - mainly women and children - have been killed by Israel's bombardment, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.

The US has also pressed Israel to do more to get aid delivered to Gaza, where it says the entire population is suffering severe levels of acute food insecurity.

The UN has accused Israel of obstructing aid; Israel has blamed the UN, accusing it of failing to carry out distributions.

The war broke out on 7 October after Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which governs Gaza, carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and taking 253 into Gaza as hostages.

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