US Proposes UN Resolution For Temporary Ceasefire In Gaza, Advises Israel Against Ground Offensive Into Rafah

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from U.N. action and has already twice vetoed council resolutions since Oct. 7.

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the United States on Monday tabled a rival draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would underscore the body's "support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable," as per news agency Reuters on Monday. The proposed resolution is seen as a result of US President Joe Biden's recent conversations with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling a departure from America's aversion to the term "ceasefire" in UN actions concerning the conflict.

The draft text not only underscores the need for a temporary ceasefire but also expresses concerns about Israel's potential major ground offensive into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where over a million Palestinians have sought shelter. It warns that such a move could lead to further harm to civilians, their displacement, and could have serious implications for regional peace and security, as per Reuters' report.

The draft U.S. resolution says such a move "would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances", the report stated.

However, it remains uncertain whether or when the draft resolution will be put to a vote in the 15-member council. 

The U.S. put forward the text after Algeria on Saturday requested the council vote on Tuesday on its draft resolution, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, indicated that it would be vetoed.

Washington Shields Israel From UN Action

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from UN action and has already twice vetoed council resolutions since Oct. 7. But it has also abstained twice, allowing the council to adopt resolutions that aimed to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting, as per Reuters.

The United States, along with Egypt, Israel, and Qatar, are seeking negotiations to secure a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Notably, the situation in Gaza remains dire as the conflict continues to escalate. Gaza's Health Ministry reported over 29,000 Palestinians killed so far in the Israel-Hamas war, as per AP.