ALBAWABA - During the first leg of his 6th visit to the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US has circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages" in the Gaza Strip.
The United States has vetoed past UN Security Council votes on the nearly six-month war, most recently objecting in February to the inclusion of the term "immediate" in an Algerian draft calling for a ceasefire to the ongoing brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Following news that the US has a draft ready to be put in motion regarding a ceasefire, Blinken stated: "Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that’s before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that".
US officials had been drafting an alternate draft since the end of February when they vetoed an Algerian draft resolution asking for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza.
According to diplomatic officials, that alternative, which is centered on backing for a six-week truce in exchange for hostage release, had little chance of being approved.
AFP had a first-hand look at the latest version of the US resolution, it stresses "the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering... in conjunction with the release of hostages still held".
Blinken met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shortly after arriving in the country on Wednesday for the first leg of a regional visit that will include Egypt on Thursday and Israel on Friday.
Blinken's trip, his sixth to the region since the war began, coincides with discussions in Qatar, where mediators convened for the third day on Wednesday in a renewed effort to broker a ceasefire but with little sign of an immediate deal.
The plan being negotiated in Qatar would temporarily cease fighting while hostages are exchanged for Palestinian detainees and aid supplies to Gaza are increased.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
