After adjusting the United States’ draft resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a diplomat at the United Nations revealed some details.
The new draft resolution submitted by the United States calls for an “immediate and temporary” ceasefire in Gaza in order to release all Israeli prisoners held in the territory.
The diplomat, who did not disclose his name, added that the draft resolution supports an agreement for an immediate ceasefire for approximately six weeks, along with the release of all prisoners once the parties agree.
To adopt the resolution, it requires at least nine affirmative votes and no veto from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, France, Britain, Russia, and China.
The United States had previously opposed the use of the term “ceasefire” and reiterated several times that it is a matter for Israeli leadership.
During the ongoing war for the past five months, the veto was used against three draft resolutions for the Security Council – two of which demanded an immediate ceasefire.
This new US move comes as Washington intensifies pressure on its ally Israel to make more efforts to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, stop the fighting, and reduce the number of casualties among Palestinian civilians.
Simultaneously, negotiations continue in Cairo between Hamas and mediators from Qatar and Egypt to reach an agreement with the Israeli side to establish a ceasefire before the arrival of Ramadan, and a deal to exchange prisoners between the two sides.
