UN resolution proposed by the US supports efforts for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza

2024-03-15 09:02:02

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States on Thursday night distributed the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution that would support international efforts to achieve “an immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas. in Gaza as part of an agreement for the release of hostages captured in the surprise insurgent attack on southern Israel on October 7.

No date has been set for the vote and the draft obtained by The Associated Press is subject to change.

The United States circulated the first draft of the proposal on February 19, a day before vetoing a resolution with broad Arab support calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Strip, saying it would interfere with the negotiation of an agreement to liberate to the hostages.

It was Washington’s third veto of a Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. This position pitted Joe Biden’s government once morest much of the world, including many of his allies.

Diplomatic contacts stalled following failing to forge a truce before the start of Islam’s holy month, Ramadan, an informal deadline that expired without any agreement.

The Israeli military said Wednesday it will press ahead with its planned offensive on the southern city of Rafah, where 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have taken refuge. In addition, it plans to transfer civilians to “humanitarian islands” in the center of the enclave.

In the October 7 assault, which sparked the war, insurgents killed 1,200 people and took regarding 250 more hostage. Israel responded with an offensive that has claimed the lives of more than 31,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between civilian victims and combatants, but maintains that around two-thirds of the dead are women and minors.

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