UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council will vote today on a resolution drafted by the United States, endorsing Washington’s proposal for the Gaza ceasefire and urging Hamas to accept it, the council presidency said, AFP reported.
The resolution, as per the draft seen by AFP, “welcomes” the ceasefire and hostage release plan announced by US President Joe Biden on May 31, while urging Israel and Hamas to implement its terms without delay or condition. The resolution states that Israel has “accepted” the US ceasefire proposal.
Deputy US Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, emphasized the significance of the proposal, describing it as the “best opportunity” to temporarily halt the ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza and facilitate humanitarian assistance and hostage release.
Wood stressed the need to exert pressure on Hamas to accept the deal. “We want to put pressure on Hamas to accept this deal, so far it hasn’t accepted this deal, that’s why we do have this resolution, because we’re on a cusp of doing something really really important.”
The United States, a staunch supporter of Israel, has faced criticism for vetoing previous UN draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the Biden administration has initiated a fresh diplomatic effort to broker a truce and secure the release of hostages.
Under the proposed ceasefire, Israel would withdraw from Gaza’s populated areas while Hamas would release hostages. The initial ceasefire duration is six weeks, with the possibility of extension as negotiations continue for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
The Security Council has grappled with addressing the Gaza crisis since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. Despite previous efforts focused on humanitarian aid, a definitive ceasefire resolution has remained elusive.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo at the start of a regional tour to push for a much-awaited Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking to reporters before departing Cairo for his next destination, Jerusalem, Blinken said his discussions with President Sisi were productive. “My message to governments throughout the region… if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes,” he told reporters.
Blinken’s visit to the region aims to rally support for a ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden on May 31.
Following his meeting with President Sisi, Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other key stakeholders in Jerusalem. Subsequent stops on Blinken’s itinerary include Jordan and Qatar, where he will continue diplomatic engagements.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued relentless air strikes and ground invasion in Gaza. Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 37,124 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Palestinian residents said that Israeli tanks attempted to advance further into Gaza early Monday, targeting densely populated areas such as Shaboura.
Israeli forces have already seized Gaza’s border strip with Egypt and invaded various districts of the city, leading to mass displacement of residents.
A senior Hamas official has urged the United States to use its influence to halt the ongoing Israeli violence in Gaza.
“We call upon the US administration to put pressure on the occupation to stop the war on Gaza,” said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, expressing Hamas’ willingness to engage positively with any initiative to halt the conflict.
