US puts forward draft UN resolution for an ‘immediate and sustained’ ceasefire in Gaza

The United States has drafted a resolution for the United Nations Security Council calling for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war, a new report reveals.

A copy of the resolution, obtained by the Associated Press, was in its fifth version as of late Thursday evening and in a form that members can vote on. The US circulated the first draft last month, just one day before they vetoed a Security Council resolution that would demand an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” The US was the only country in the 15-member body that voted no on the widely supported resolution in February, while the United Kingdom abstained.

The latest draft of the US resolution, as of Thursday, “unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts toestablish an immediate and sustained cease-fire as part of a deal that releases the hostages, and that allows the basis for a more durable peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering,” the AP reports. The initial draft used the phrase “temporary,” which has now been removed, according to the AP. The draft, however, is still subject to change.

The initial February draft also stated the Israeli offensive into the city of Rafah, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are taking refuge, “should not proceed under current circumstances.” Since 7 October, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Two-thirds of those killed were women and children, the ministry reports.

Now, this week’s latest draft states that Israel Defense Forces invading Rafah “would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement, potentially into neighboring countries, and would have serious implications for regional peace and security,”