AU.S.-backed U.N. Security Council draft resolution in support of diplomatic efforts for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages held by Hamas was reportedly circulated on Thursday as Hamas issued its ceasefire proposal that offers to exchange hostages for nearly a thousand Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
According to the Associated Press, the latest draft “unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained cease-fire as part of a deal that releases the hostages.”
This is an update from an earlier version of the draft, which called for a “temporary” ceasefire linked to several conditions, including releasing all hostages and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The U.S.-backed measure suggests “the window of opportunity” emerging from a ceasefire should be used for dialogue to enable a more permanent “cessation of hostilities and lasting peace.”
The AP report added that this was the fifth version of the draft, and it has been marked “in blue,” which means it is ready to be voted on, although no time frame has been set for a vote.
The original draft of the resolution also included a warning for Israel saying its planned ground offensive into Rafah—the town near Gaza’s southern border where millions have taken refuge—should not take place “under current circumstances,” as it “would have serious implications for regional peace and security.” The latest draft reportedly removes that section entirely and replaces it with a line expressing concern that a Rafah offensive would “result in further harm to civilians,” displace them into neighboring countries and impact regional peace.
