CNN
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The United States has vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This is an expected move amid signs of US dissatisfaction with Israel's war, even as it supports Israel.
The United States, which had already indicated it would veto the Algeria resolution, has stepped up its criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza and on Monday issued its own draft Security Council resolution calling for the first time for a “temporary ceasefire” in the conflict. Proposed. He also issued a stern warning to Israel not to launch an attack on Rafah in southern Gaza.
For months, the administration has avoided using the word “ceasefire.” But President Joe Biden's recent use of it, along with the latest U.S. resolution, signals change as the White House seeks to help broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas that calls for the release of Israeli hostages and a long-term cessation of fighting. Suggests.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council that the resolution proposed by Algeria would have a negative impact on ongoing negotiations in the region.
“While it would be wishful and irresponsible to proceed with a vote today, and we cannot support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, we cannot support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but we believe that it would be wishful and irresponsible to move forward with a vote today, and that we would not be able to support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but we believe that it would be wishful and irresponsible to proceed with a vote today, and that we would not support a resolution that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, but that we would like to move forward with a document that we believe will address many of the concerns we all share.” I look forward to working on it,” she said after the vote.
As the attack on Rafah looms, the United States is increasingly wary of and increasingly critical of Israel's operations. Biden said earlier this month that the IDF's actions were “overreach,” and later told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that military action in Rafah was “a credible and viable way to ensure Israel's security and support.” We should not proceed without a proper plan.” civilians,” according to a reading of the telephone conversation between the two leaders.
Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday that he had conveyed his position to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “a temporary ceasefire is needed” to ensure the safe release of hostages held by Hamas. However, this was a mismatch of terminology previously used by the administration. I resisted.
A U.S. official told CNN on Tuesday that while the United States is critical of the Algeria resolution, it recognizes that much of the world wants action at the United Nations, so the competing U.S. resolution is a “positive vision.” He said that the aim is to bring out the following.
“We are saying we are listening to calls for UN Security Council action,” the official added.
A vote on the U.S. resolution is unlikely to take place this week, officials told CNN. There is no intention to rush things, given that talks are currently underway with Egypt and Qatar, which the Biden administration believes would be more effective in rescuing Israeli hostages from Gaza. Provide humanitarian aid and suspend fighting.
White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that “we could not support a resolution today that would jeopardize delicate negotiations, and that's what this resolution does.” We believe that.”
Tuesday's vote on Algeria's proposed measures came ahead of an expected Israeli offensive in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians are crammed with no clear escape routes.
The US draft resolution states: “Under the current circumstances, a large-scale ground attack on Rafah would result in further damage to civilians and further displacement, including potentially to neighboring countries.'' '', it added, “Such a large-scale ground attack should not proceed under the current circumstances.''
Negotiations over the hostage release and humanitarian moratorium failed despite a top-level meeting in Cairo last week that included intelligence chiefs from the United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar's prime minister.
“We desperately want an agreement and we know there will be a price to pay. But Hamas's demands are disconnected from reality and nothing more than a delusion.” Official Gal Hirsch told CNN at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday.
Hirsh said Israel wants to see evidence that the medical supplies sent to Gaza for the hostages actually reached the hostages to prove Hamas will honor the agreement.
Leaders of Hamas, based on the outskirts of Gaza, returned to Cairo on Tuesday for further talks while White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGuirk returned to the Middle East.
U.S. officials said McGuirk is scheduled to visit Cairo on Wednesday and Israel on Thursday, with hostage negotiations likely to be a major focus of the trip.
More than 29,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip since Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, according to the besieged enclave's health ministry.
An increasingly serious humanitarian crisis has gripped the Strip, with hospitals out of commission and supplies of food, water, electricity and life-saving medical care dangerously low.
This article has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN's Kevin Liptak and MJ Lee contributed to this report.
