New York - The United States abstained when the UN Security Council voted late Thursday to urge Israel and Hamas to immediately end their fighting and allow humanitarian and medical supplies to reach civilians in the Gaza Strip.

The 15-nation Security Council voted 14-0 to adopt a resolution that Western and Arab nations negotiated for three days at United Nations headquarters, combining demands from both sides.

The compromise text stressed the "urgency" of and called for "an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire," leading to the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Force from the Gaza Strip.

It called for the "unimpeded provisions and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment."

The Security Council welcomed initiatives to open corridors for humanitarian assistance and a mechanism for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid.

The text says the durable ceasefire will require "arrangements and guarantees" for its implementation. (dpa)