Saeed Khatib/AFP/Getty Images
Palestinian Civil Defense personnel extinguish a fire in a building east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 19, 2024.
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The United States has proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Gaza, calling for a temporary ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas, and calling for a temporary ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas, calling for Israel to move to Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken refuge over the course of the conflict. warned against a ground invasion.
The US draft came after it vowed to veto Algeria's draft proposal calling for an immediate ceasefire. The Council is scheduled to vote on the Algeria draft on Tuesday morning.
According to a draft text of the US proposal seen by CNN, the US is calling for a “temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable,” which is contrary to the wishes of most other Security Council members who want an immediate ceasefire. It doesn't reach. .
The United States has traditionally protected its ally Israel from UN action, but has repeatedly resisted calls for a “ceasefire,” insisting that Israel has the right to defend itself following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack. I've been doing it. They also at least vote against it. Two Security Council resolutions regarding the war.
“We are not rushing to a vote,” a senior U.S. official said, adding that the administration does not believe there is a need for the Security Council to take urgent action by setting a deadline for a vote.
The United States says it will redouble its efforts to negotiate on the ground.
On Friday, President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House that he had had “extensive conversations” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days and that a “temporary ceasefire” was needed to ensure Netanyahu's safe release. “There is a need for this,” he said. The hostages are still being held by Hamas.
The US draft warned of the impact of an Israeli ground attack on Rafah, saying it would “result in further harm to civilians and further displacement, including potentially to neighboring countries, with serious consequences for peace and security in the region.” It will have an impact.”
Despite international pressure, Israel announced plans to expand its ground operations into Rafah as part of its goal of annihilating Hamas after the October 7 attack. Many fear military operations in refugee tent cities could cause a spill that could kill thousands of civilians.
The Biden administration has increasingly voiced concerns about the way Israel is waging the war. Last week, Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that military action “should not proceed,” according to the meeting.
A U.S. draft bill that also calls for the release of Israeli hostages is scheduled to be discussed behind closed doors on Tuesday. It is unclear when the bill will be put to a vote, and it would require at least nine votes in favor and would not be vetoed by the permanent members.
This story has been updated with additional details.
