US to call for ‘temporary ceasefire’ in Gaza with UN draft resolution opposing Rafah offensive

The United States has proposed a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a “temporary ceasefire” in Gaza, after repeatedly resisting global demands to pressure Israel to immediately halt its devastating siege in the beleaguered strip.

A draft resolution also warns against Israel’s ground incursion in Rafah in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge after they were violently displaced by Israel’s months-long campaign.

The proposal comes after the US mission to the UN announced its opposition to an Algerian-led measure demanding an immediate ceasefire, which Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said would “run counter” to recent negotiations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as the leaders of Egypt and Qatar.

The Security Council is scheduled to vote on Algeria’s resolution on Tuesday.

The latest proposal warns that Israel’s planned ground invasion in Rafah would “result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighbouring countries” and “would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances.”

Last week, President Biden warned Mr Netanyahu that that such an operation “should not proceed,” according to a readout of their call from the White House.

The UN’s humanitarian aid chief Martin Griffiths has warned that Israel’s “military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter in Gaza” and would leave “an already fragile humanitarian operation at death’s door.”

It is unclear when the draft will be put forward for a vote. The measure would need more than nine votes from