US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that his country submitted a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for “immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages” in the Gaza Strip, according to TRT World.
“Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that’s before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that.”
Blinken met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after arriving on Wednesday as part of the first stage of a regional tour that would continue in Egypt on Thursday and in Israel.
The United States, Israel’s main backer, has previously used its veto in the UN Security Council to prevent the world body from calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself… but at the same time, it’s imperative that […] we focus on […] protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance.
After blocking an Algerian draft resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the enclave in late February, US officials negotiated an alternative text centred on a six-week ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases.
The amended draft underscores “the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering… in conjunction with the release of hostages stildl held.”
This is Blinken’s sixth trip to the Middle East since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. His latest tour comes alongside talks in Qatar, where mediators met for a third day on Wednesday as part of renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire.
“It’s getting closer. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible. We worked very hard with Qatar, with Egypt, and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table… Hamas wouldn’t accept it. They came back with other requests, other demands. The negotiators are working on that right now.”
The plan being discussed in Qatar would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, with humanitarian aid deliveries being intensified.
