Riyadh: The United States, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, directly linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Blinken made the announcement during his visit to Saudi Arabia early Thursday, emphasizing the urgent need for peace in the conflict-ridden Middle East.
The resolution, submitted to the UN Security Council, aims to secure an “immediate ceasefire linked to the release of the hostages,” as per Blinken’s statement. Hamas, the militant group controlling the Gaza Strip, has been holding over 1,000 Israelis as hostages since October 7, leading to a surge in violence and resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
“We have, in fact, submitted a resolution which is now before the Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire linked to the release of the hostages, and we very much hope that countries will support it,” Blinken affirmed.
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Last week, Hamas presented a ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US, proposing the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, including women, children, elderly, and ill individuals. However, Israel deemed these demands as “unrealistic.”
Efforts to broker a ceasefire have been ongoing, with Egypt and Qatar working to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas’s ceasefire terms. The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where a quarter of the population faces famine, underscores the urgency of reaching a resolution.
Negotiations have faced hurdles, primarily due to Israel’s rejection of Hamas’s demands, which include a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and enhanced aid without restrictions.
In February, a draft proposal was presented to Hamas in Paris, suggesting a 40-day halt to military operations and a prisoner exchange at a ratio of 10 to one. However, Israel also rejected this proposal, underscoring its commitment to dismantling Hamas.
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Egypt has also been instrumental in ceasefire efforts, advocating for increased aid access and the relocation of displaced individuals within Gaza.
Meanwhile, Australia has announced the resumption of funding to the main Palestinian relief agency, after a temporary pause over allegations of agency involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel.
President Joe Biden has expressed hope for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages before Ramadan, but negotiations remain ongoing. Despite challenges, Biden remains optimistic, emphasizing the need for continued diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in the region.
