As Israel's conflict with Gaza approaches its four-month mark, Chicago has joined the growing list of U.S. cities urging for a permanent ceasefire, adding pressure on President Joe Biden ahead of the upcoming November election to intervene and stop the violence. Following contentious public discussions, the city's council narrowly passed a nonbinding resolution with a 24-23 vote on Wednesday. Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote and temporarily cleared the council chambers during the heated session.
The UN has characterized the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas as the dreaded nightmare that had been anticipated by all. The temporary ceasefire, which lapsed on Friday, witnessed a blame game between the conflicting parties as they held each other responsible for the renewal of fighting.