The United Nations  Security Council has called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, after the US did not veto the measure in a major shift from its previous position.

The resolution “demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan" and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.

Although the resolution demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas, it did not make the ceasefire dependent on hostage release, a linkage the US had previously insisted on. All other 14 members of the security council voted in favour of the resolution.

Before the vote, the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, threatened to cancel a visit to Washington DC by an Israeli delegation set for early this week to discuss a planned Israeli offensive on the city of Rafah in Gaza, something the Biden administration opposed.

The US abstained from the vote, while the remainder of the council's 15 members voted in favour.

The veto marks a rift with the Netanyahu government, reflecting mounting frustration in Washington at the prime minister’s defiant insistence on Israeli forces attacking Rafah, and at continued Israeli hindrance of humanitarian aid deliveries.

The US 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.

There have also been concerns that Israel has hindered the access of food and rations to civilians suffering in Gaza.

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

The resolution also demands that Israel will no longer approve Unrwa food aid to northern Gaza.