Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East to promote a truce in Gaza

The United States announced on Sunday that it had requested a vote from the UN Security Council on its draft resolution calling on Israel and Hamas to implement the resolution. “Without deadline” A ceasefire agreement is on the table.

Today, the United States called on the Security Council to move toward voting on the American draft resolution (…) Support the proposed proposal »The spokesman for the US mission to the United Nations, Nate Evans, announced in a statement. “Council members must not let this opportunity pass them by and must speak with one voice in support of this agreement.”He added that the United States, an ally of Israel, was widely criticized for obstructing several draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

At the end of last May, US President Joe Biden revealed an Israeli plan, according to him, in three stages, each lasting about forty days, to move from a temporary ceasefire to permanent peace in Gaza.

It is clear that the Americans hold Hamas primarily responsible for accepting it. This was also highlighted in the draft resolution.

As for the third version of the text, which was distributed on Sunday to member states and seen by Agence France-Presse, “regards” This proposal. It also ensures, unlike previous versions, that the plan has been implemented “I accepted” By Israel. He calls Hamas “To also accept it and call on both parties to fully implement its conditions without delay and without conditions.”.

In response to requests made by many Member States since the start of negotiations a week ago, the new text defines the content of the plan.

This indicates that if the first stage is a ceasefire “Instant and complete”The release of hostages held by Hamas “exchange” Palestinian prisoners, Israeli army withdrawal from “Populated areas of Gaza”It will take more than six weeks for humanitarian aid to enter, and the ceasefire will be maintained “As long as negotiations continue”.

Since the unprecedented October 7 Hamas attack against Israel, and Israeli reprisals in Gaza, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice. After issuing two resolutions that focused mainly on humanitarian aid, at the end of March, he finally called for… “Immediate ceasefire” Throughout the month of Ramadan, the United States decided this time to abstain from voting.

Following the decision taken by the International Court of Justice at the end of May that ordered Israel to halt its attack on Rafah, Algeria circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and, more specifically, an end to the attack in Rafah. Then the United States considered such a text “It won't help”He always supports negotiations on the ground to achieve a truce.