The US announced plans to submit a resolution to the UN Security Council on Friday urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, increasing pressure on its ally Israel, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing confidence on Thursday, the 21st of March, that talks led by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators could still reach a truce between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, reports Reuters.
European Union leaders also issued a joint call on Thursday for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The text of the resolution to the UN Security Council, seen by Reuters, said an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” lasting about six weeks would protect civilians and ensure humanitarian supplies. The text also expressed support for the ceasefire talks between the US, Egypt and Qatar and underlined support for using the ceasefire period to intensify efforts to achieve a “lasting peace”.
The US had previously opposed the use of the term “ceasefire” and vetoed resolutions with this wording.
“Negotiators continue their work. Gaps are narrowing and we continue to work towards an agreement in Doha. There is still a lot of work ahead. But I still believe it is possible,” Blinken was quoted as saying.
The main sticking point is that Hamas says it will release the hostages if there is an end to the war, while Israel says it only wants to negotiate a temporary ceasefire.
A Palestinian official briefed on the negotiating efforts, who declined to be named, told Reuters that Hamas had been flexible but Israel “continues to stall because it is unwilling to commit to ending the war in Gaza”.
A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea would travel to Qatar on Friday to meet with mediators.
Meanwhile, Israel said it planned to continue attacks on the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City for several more days. Israel claims that Hamas militants are holding out in the hospital, but Hamas denies this.
Israel claims to have killed 150 and captured 358 militants in and around the hospital in recent days.
The resolution requires at least nine votes in favour in the Security Council and cannot be vetoed by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China.
Also read: UN rights office: Israel’s restrictions on Gaza aid may be a war crime
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