Proposed US resolution would back global efforts for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS — The United States late Thursday circulated the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution that would support international efforts to achieve “an immediate and lasting ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas , as part of an agreement to release hostages captured during Hamas. ‘surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7.
No time has been set for a vote, and the draft, obtained by The Associated Press, is still subject to change.
The US distributed the first draft on February 19, a day before it vetoed a broad-based, Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war in the embattled Gaza Strip. the hostages.
It was the third US veto of a Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and has put President Joe Biden’s administration at odds with much of the world, including many allies.
Diplomatic talks have stalled since efforts failed to broker a ceasefire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – an informal deadline that passed without any agreement.
The Israeli army said on Wednesday it will press ahead with its planned offensive in the southern city of Rafah – where 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have sought safety – and plans to move civilians to “humanitarian islands” in the center of the area.
The US draft, which was placed “in blue” late Thursday – meaning it is in a form that can be voted on – is the fifth version of the text and makes some significant changes.
The original draft would have underlined that a temporary ceasefire “as soon as practicable” required the release of all hostages, and would have called for the lifting of all restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid. Both actions “would help create the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities,” the report said.
The final draft “unambiguously supports international diplomatic efforts to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire as part of an agreement that will release the hostages, and lay the foundation for a more lasting peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering.” relieve” – deleting the word “temporarily”. ”
It also says that “the opportunity created by a ceasefire” should be used to intensify diplomatic efforts to create the conditions “for a lasting cessation of hostilities and lasting peace.”
The original draft stated that Israel’s planned major ground offensive against the city of Rafah in southern Gaza “must not proceed under the current circumstances.” That language disappeared in the final draft. Instead, in an introductory paragraph, the council would emphasize its concern that a ground offensive against Rafah “would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, possibly to neighboring countries, and would have serious consequences for regional peace and security.”
The final draft “rejects any forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza that is contrary to international law.”
More than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive since October 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters but says about two-thirds of the victims were women and children.
The US draft would require all parties to adhere to international law requiring the protection of civilians and “civilian objects” including hospitals, schools and homes. The draft would also express the council’s “deep concern about the threat of conflict-induced famine and epidemics currently facing the civilian population in Gaza, as well as the number of malnourished people” and “catastrophic” hunger levels.
The council reiterates its demand for “the full, immediate, safe, sustained and unhindered delivery of large-scale humanitarian assistance directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.” According to the design, this should be facilitated by using all available routes, including border crossings.
If adopted, the resolution would for the first time condemn “the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, as well as the taking and killing of hostages, the killing of civilians and sexual violence, including rape,” and “the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and to hold hostages.” It would also demand that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to any remaining hostages.