US Calls for Gaza Cease: Fire After Three UN Vetoes :
After three vetoes, the United States proposed a cease-fire in Gaza to the United Nations Since vetoing an Algerian cease-fire proposal in February, US officials have continued to negotiate a six-week ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Palestinians carry the bodies of those killed in the airstrikes to al-Najjar hospital in southern Gaza. Photo: Reuters (March 20, 2024) The US has submitted a draft proposal to the UN Security Council for an ‘immediate ceasefire to secure the release of hostages’ in the Gaza Strip. Earlier, the country had vetoed three similar proposals.
This information was reported by AFP concerning US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Thursday. “We have submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to ensure the release of the hostages,” Blinken said. We hope other countries will support it.’
US won’t leave Israel despite Gaza war violations: Biden Blinken was in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss the Israel-Hamas war. He told local media Al Hadath, ‘I think this is a strong message. A strong hint.’
Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and the country’s leader Mohammed bin Salman. His itinerary also includes Egypt and Israel. The United States, Israel’s biggest ally, has repeatedly vetoed ceasefire proposals brought by other member states as permanent members of the Security Council.
“We certainly stand by Israel and we respect their right to self-defense,” Blinken said. But at the same time, we have to look at the civilians who are being affected, who are in dire straits. This is also important. They should be prioritized. Civilians must be protected and humanitarian aid must be provided for them.’
Since vetoing an Algerian cease-fire proposal in February, US officials have continued to negotiate a six-week ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The US submitted the revised draft to the Security Council on Wednesday. A copy of this draft has been seen by AFP. “An immediate and sustainable ceasefire subject to the release of hostages is necessary to protect civilians on all sides, continue the delivery of essential humanitarian relief, and alleviate suffering,” it said.
The date or time of voting on this draft proposal has not yet been determined. Mediators are already negotiating in Qatar. Even after the third day of talks on Wednesday, there was no progress on the ceasefire agreement. Qatar’s talks include a temporary ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the entry of more aid into Gaza.
Blinken said of the talks, ‘We’re getting close. The differences between the two sides have narrowed and I think they will agree.’ “We worked hard to bring a strong proposal to the negotiating table with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel. But Hamas did not accept it, he added.
Blinken added, ‘They bring other requests, demands. Mediators are working on them now.
On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise and unprecedented attack on Israeli territory. One thousand 160 people were killed and about 250 people were taken hostage by Hamas. Of the hostages, 130 are still in Gaza and 33 are said to have been killed.
Since this incident, Israel has been conducting an all-out and uninterrupted attack on Gaza for almost six months intending to eliminate Hamas. According to information provided by the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 31 thousand 819 people were killed in this attack. The United Nations said that 13,000 children were among the dead. Among the rest, the number of women is higher.
