The United States has put forth an alternative version of a United Nations Security Council resolution, urging a brief ceasefire in Gaza and expressing opposition to a significant ground offensive by its ally, Israel, in Rafah. According to a White House official, the US text, which was circulated Monday, aligns with language that President Joe Biden has used in recent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US stance marks a shift from the Obama administration’s traditional unwavering support for Israel at the United Nations, where it has blocked any resolutions critical of its military actions in the Palestinian territory. The move could also signal a new approach to the diplomatic process after the collapse of the Egyptian-Israeli talks meant to lead to a Gaza truce deal.
A draft of the rival text, seen by Reuters, does use the word “ceasefire” in its title for the first time in a US-proposed Security Council product on the war. Still, it does not call for an immediate ceasefire or seek to condemn Hamas for any attacks. It also does not mention the Israeli plan to expand its ground operations into Rafah, which prompted an international backlash from leaders, including the foreign ministers of Spain and Ireland.
For a resolution to pass, it needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the U.S., France, Britain, Russia, or China – the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Diplomatic sources indicated the US was not eager to rush the draft to a vote and hoped to allow more time for discussion.
During the resumed session of the UN General Assembly, Assembly President Dennis Francis said, “Even war has rules.” He described an onslaught on civilians and a collapse of humanitarian systems that showed a “profound disrespect for international law by combatants,” adding that even war must adhere to “core principles and values” like respect for human life.
The American proposal was drafted by Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Burns and will be circulated in the coming weeks. Sources said Egypt and Qatar have pressed the White House to find ways to revive the hostage-taking truce talks. But they have urged the United States not to get too involved in the talks, fearing that any move to impose conditions on a ceasefire would derail them.
The United States has signaled that it would veto on Tuesday an Algerian-drafted resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire over concerns that it could jeopardize ongoing “sensitive negotiations” between the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar. The talks, involving senior officials from all four countries and representatives of Palestinians and Israelis, have been deadlocked over differences on a Gaza truce and on how to ensure that any agreement is sustainable.
