Security Council Demands Cease-Fire

Late last night the UN Security Council voted 14-0 on a resolution demanding that Israel and Hamas cease firing in Gaza. America abstained. Libya promoted the Arab League's draft resolution in the Council. America argued it didn't do enough to address Israel's concerns about Hamas rearming and resuming rocket attacks on Israeli citizens. The resolution "stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza" while calling for member states to “prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition.” Condi Rice said America supported the resolution in principle but didn’t want the Egyptian-French talks in Cairo to be jeopardized. Israeli premier Olmert will arrive in Cairo today and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday. Palestinian officials say 758 Palestinians, including 257 children and 56 women, have died in the attacks. Israel says 390 were Hamas fighters.