The United States has presented the United Nations Security Council with a draft resolution calling for a temporary armistice in Gaza.
Additionally, it has warned Israel against an invasion of the congested city of Rafah.
Prior to this, the United States avoided the term “ceasefire” when the United Nations voted on the conflict; however, President Joe Biden has struck a similar tone.
Nevertheless, the United States intends to veto an additional Algerian resolution draft that demands an urgent humanitarian ceasefire.
After being compelled to seek refuge in Rafah, over a million displaced Palestinians, or roughly half of Gaza’s population, are crammed into the city.
Before the conflict, the southern city, which shares a border with Egypt, had a population of merely 250,000.
A significant portion of the displaced population is residing in improvised shelters or tents that are filthy, with limited access to food and potable water.
A planned Israeli offensive in the city, according to a separate United Nations warning, could result in “slaughter.”
US Proposes Armistice Amid Conflict
Israel commenced its military interventions in Gaza subsequent to an assault executed by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7. The attack claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals and enslaved over 240 others.
The Israeli military operation in the Palestinian territory has claimed the lives of 29,000 individuals, according to the health ministry, which is operated by Hamas.
The United States has been subject to significant global pressure to utilise its influence in order to constrain Israel’s destructive actions; for the majority of the conflict, it has defended its ally’s right to defend itself.
Although it has made a commitment to obstruct the Algerian draft, the competing text expresses dissent towards Israel’s intentions.
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The US draft will enter into discussions this week; however, the timing and likelihood of a vote on the proposal remain uncertain. Members “agree to accept and implement” Security Council decisions in accordance with the United Nations Charter, as opposed to the General Assembly’s decisions which lack binding force.
The United States has never before called for a temporary armistice in Gaza at the United Nations; it has previously vetoed resolutions containing the word.
A reference to Egypt is also made in the US draft to the effect that a significant ground offensive in Rafah would result in additional civilian casualties and their possible displacement into neighbouring countries.
In addition, it states that such an action would threaten regional peace and security.
The proposed resolution urges an immediate and feasible cessation of hostilities in Gaza, mirroring statements made by President Joe Biden during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the previous week.
Protesting international pressure to reassess the strategy thus far, Mr. Netanyahu has vowed to liberate the remaining hostages and exterminate Hamas across the entirety of Gaza.
Benny Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, has threatened to execute the manoeuvre unless Hamas releases all hostages by March 10. The observance of Ramadan, the Islamic sacred month of fasting, commences on this date.
The Arab collection of nations asserts that the Security Council cannot ignore the international community’s entreaties for a cessation of hostilities.
