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The United States has called for the United Nations Security Council to vote on a US-proposed resolution that demands an immediate truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
On Monday, the Biden administration urged the Security Council to support a US resolution aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Nate Evans, spokesperson for the US mission to the UN, emphasized the importance of applying pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal, which Israel has already agreed to. “Israel has accepted this proposal, and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same,” Evans stated.
Even with the push from the US, various international media outlets have revealed that several Security Council members, including Algeria and Russia, have reservations about the resolution, with Russia holding veto power.
In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed skepticism even with the US claiming they have accepted the deal. Earlier last week, Netanyahu said Israel cannot fully commit without reciprocal actions from Hamas. Hamas has outright rejected the ceasefire proposal, hindering negotiation efforts.
The US draft resolution builds on a three-phase plan proposed by President Biden, which includes the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a six-week ceasefire. Biden envisions the first phase as a window for diplomacy, leading to a longer-term cessation of hostilities and addressing complex issues between Israel and Hamas.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli counterattack, the Security Council has struggled to unify its stance. Previous resolutions focused mainly on humanitarian aid, with the council finally demanding an “immediate ceasefire” for Ramadan at the end of March, a vote from which the US abstained.
