The United States wants the United Nations to support a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and to oppose a big ground attack by Israel in Rafah, according to Reuters.

The U.S. has changed its approach, suggesting a resolution with words similar to what President Joe Biden used in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This resolution emphasizes the importance of releasing all hostages and allowing humanitarian assistance without barriers.

New Draft Opposes Algeria’s Proposition

Last week, Algeria initiated talks on a fresh draft following a late January ruling by the International Court of Justice. The court mandated that Israel must take all possible measures to prevent genocidal acts in its Gaza war.

The new draft was seen by AFP.  It explicitly "demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that must be respected by all parties." It took a strong stance against the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and called for the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages.

Algeria requested a UN Security Council vote scheduled for Tuesday. However, the United States indicated its intention to veto the measure.

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Thomas-Greenfield is the US ambassador to the UN. She expressed the US position against the draft resolution, stating that it would not achieve the desired outcomes and may even run counter to them.

Today’s proposal is a direct response to Algeria’s push.  The US believes Algeria’s resolution could jeopardize ongoing talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar. These discussions aim to facilitate a pause in the war and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Resolution Requirements

For a resolution to pass, it needs at least nine votes in favor, and none of the U.S., France, Britain, Russia, or China should veto it.

The proposed U.S. resolution warns that a major ground offensive in Rafah could harm civilians and displace them, leading to serious consequences for regional peace and security. 

Israel's plan to storm Rafah has raised international concerns about worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

U.S. and Israel Dynamics

Traditionally, the U.S. has shielded Israel from U.N. action. Still, this recent move indicates a warning to Israel that it cannot rely on American diplomatic protection indefinitely.

The draft resolution condemns Israeli government ministers' calls for Jewish settlers to move to Gaza and rejects any attempts at demographic or territorial changes violating international law.

It also opposes actions that reduce Gaza's territory temporarily or permanently, including the establishment of buffer zones and the demolition of civilian infrastructure.

Israel's Buffer Zone Proposal

Tuesday’s proposed resolution rejects Israel's reported desire to create a buffer zone inside Gaza's borders to prevent future attacks after the conflict ends.

How We Got Here

The Israel-Hamas conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.  The attack resulted in casualties on both sides. The retaliation by Israel has led to a significant number of Palestinian casualties.

Gaza Health Ministry says that 29,092 Palestinians have died since the attacks began last year. In contrast 1410 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the war.

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Global Opinion on Ceasefire

In December, over three-quarters of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. While General Assembly resolutions are not binding, they carry political weight and reflect the global viewpoint on the conflict.

Words in This Article

Ceasefire

A ceasefire is an agreement between groups or countries involved in a conflict to stop fighting and put a temporary halt to hostilities.

Genocidal

Genocidal refers to actions or behaviors that involve the intentional and systematic destruction of a particular group of people, often based on their ethnic, racial, or religious identity.

Humanitarian

Humanitarian relates to activities or efforts aimed at promoting the well-being and welfare of humanity, particularly in providing aid and assistance to those in need, especially during crises or emergencies.

Buffer Zone

A buffer zone is an area that acts as a protective space, often created to separate conflicting parties or regions, reducing the risk of direct confrontation or conflict.