The resolution proposed by Israel’s main ally also warns it not to launch an offensive in Rafah.
The United States has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip “as soon as possible” and opposing an Israeli ground offensive on the town of Rafah, in the south of the country.
The draft, seen by Tel Aviv Tribune on Monday, says the Security Council should emphasize “its support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, based on the formula of the release of all hostages” while “lifting all obstacles to the provision of large-scale humanitarian aid” in Gaza.
The US draft also warns Israel not to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, saying: “The Security Council should emphasize that a ground offensive of this magnitude should not take place, under the current circumstances.” »
Israel has announced plans to storm Rafah, where more than 1.4 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge. The plans have sparked widespread international concern that such a move would kill large numbers of civilians and significantly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is on the brink of famine, according to the UN.
Algeria, the current Arab member of the Security Council, presented a first draft resolution more than two weeks ago that would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Algerian draft resolution was to be put to a vote on Tuesday. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield previously signaled there would be a veto, saying it could jeopardize “sensitive negotiations” over prisoners taken by Hamas and other armed groups from Israel to Gaza on October 7 .
The United States, Egypt, Israel and Qatar have held negotiations on a possible truce between Israel and Hamas and on the exchange of prisoners held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
From UN headquarters in New York, Tel Aviv Tribune diplomatic editor James Bays says Washington’s draft resolution appears to show a significant change in language.
“For the first time, the United States is proposing the word ceasefire. … It’s important because Israel didn’t want the word ceasefire in any resolution, and now it’s the United States that’s proposing it,” Bays said.
Since October 7, Washington has sought to protect its ally Israel from UN action and has twice vetoed Security Council resolutions. But he also abstained twice, allowing the Council to adopt resolutions aimed at boosting humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and calling for urgent and prolonged humanitarian pauses in the fighting.
“The American plan now mentions the idea of a ceasefire, but does not say that there should be one immediately…. so it might not be acceptable to the Russians,” Bays said.
Both the United States and Russia are permanent members of the Council with veto power.
Noting Washington’s warning to Israel about launching an operation in Rafah, Bays said it showed that, in the United States’ view, this operation would cause more harm to civilians and also lead to their displacement, particularly to neighboring countries, which in turn would have serious implications. on regional security.
“So it’s very clear that something has changed in Washington in the last 24 hours. They decided to be tougher on Israel,” Bays said.
It is not yet known when or if the American draft resolution will be put to a vote.
At least 29,092 people have been killed and 69,028 injured in the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip since October 7, according to Palestinian authorities. At least 1,139 people were killed in Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, according to an Tel Aviv Tribune tally based on official Israeli figures.
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