US Submits UN Resolution Seeking ‘Immediate Ceasefire’ In Gaza

 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah

A U.S. draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council is seeking an “immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages” in Gaza, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, a month after Washington vetoed an Arab nations-led effort to enforce a ceasefire.

Blinken, who is on an official tour to the Middle East, told Saudi broadcaster Al-Hadath that the U.S. has put forward the resolution before the Security Council adding that he hopes countries would support the resolution, as “that would send a strong message, a strong signal.”

Commenting on a potential ceasefire agreement, the top U.S. diplomat said it was “very much possible” as things were “getting closer…the gaps are narrowing.”

He said Hamas refused to accept a “strong proposal” that the U.S., Qatar, Egypt and Israel had worked on, and came back with “other requests, other demands.”

Blinken said negotiators were working on that right now, and “if Hamas cares at all about the people it purports to represent, then it would reach an agreement.”

Blinken said Washington stands with “Israel and its right to defend itself” and prevent another October 7-style terror attack, but protecting Gazan civilians and “getting them humanitarian assistance,” was imperative.

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“So I’m still hopeful that – more than hopeful that an agreement is possible, and that we can reach it…The quickest path – the quickest path to ending that is getting this immediate ceasefire with the release of hostages. Then a lot more becomes possible,” Blinken said.

KEY BACKGROUND

Earlier this week, the Associated Press reported about the U.S. draft resolution noting it “unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire as part of a deal that releases the hostages.” It is unclear whether the draft Blinken mentioned used the same language or more explicitly demanded an immediate ceasefire if the hostages were released. Earlier versions of the draft pushed for a temporary and conditional ceasefire but the word “temporary” has reportedly been dropped since then.

Blinken did not mention when the resolution will be voted on by the Security Council. It is also unclear if the proposal will manage to garner the necessary votes while avoiding a Russian or Chinese veto