On March 14 (local time), the United States completed a draft resolution on the Israel-Hamas war and can present it to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), an important step in international efforts to Achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Reuters, the draft resolution “clearly supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and lasting ceasefire, accompanied by an agreement to release hostages, thereby creating a basis for for lasting peace and alleviating the suffering of the people of Gaza.”
However, it is unclear when or whether the US will ask the 15 members of the Security Council to vote on this resolution. To be passed at the Security Council, a resolution needs at least 9 votes and no veto from the permanent members of the US, France, UK, Russia or China.
The US can still make changes to the draft. Washington wants the Security Council to support a ceasefire in Gaza along with the release of hostages held by Hamas. According to Israeli statistics, Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages.
The U.S.-drafted resolution condemned Hamas attacks and emphasized concerns that an Israeli ground attack on Rafah in southern Gaza “would cause massive civilian casualties and cause them to continue have to relocate, even to neighboring countries.”
During the war that has lasted for the past 5 months, the US has vetoed 3 draft resolutions, including 2 resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire. Most recently, the United States vetoed it on the grounds that the council’s move could jeopardize efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to broker a halt to the war and release of hostages.
The United States has always defended its ally Israel at the UN, but it also abstained twice, allowing the council to pass resolutions to increase aid to Gaza and call for a prolonged pause in hostilities.
