On Sunday, the United States officially submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council urging Israel and Hamas to implement the ceasefire agreement in Gaza with immediate effect. The vote on the proposed agreement was scheduled to take place on Monday, pending confirmation from South Korea’s presidency. Nate Evans, a spokesperson for the American mission, emphasized the importance of unanimous support from Security Council members to achieve lasting peace in Gaza.
The latest version of the draft resolution outlines a comprehensive plan to move from temporary ceasefire to permanent peace in three phases. It welcomed President Biden’s proposal and highlighted the need for both Israel and Hamas to accept and fully implement its terms without delay. Key elements of this plan include an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, Israeli forces withdrawal from Gaza, and humanitarian aid entry.
Despite criticism of past US efforts regarding previous drafts, this new resolution marks a significant step forward in diplomatic efforts towards achieving peace in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a tour of the Middle East to promote the ceasefire plan despite political turmoil in Israel and Hamas’s response raising uncertainties about its success.
The resignation of Benny Gantz adds another layer of complexity to this situation as he was a critical figure in Netanyahu’s cabinet. Blinken’s visit will focus on reopening Rafah crossing point between Egypt and Gaza which has been closed since 2017 exacerbating food shortages and deepening fears of famine in Gaza. Closure of Rafah crossing has also led to an increase in tensions between Israelis and Palestinians living there.
Blinken aims at building consensus among key stakeholders and mitigating obstacles that may hinder implementation of ceasefire plan effectively despite challenges ahead. Despite this hurdle, USA remains committed towards working towards a sustainable peace agreement that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians alike while addressing their concerns over security concerns as well as their rights under international law
