The United States submitted a resolution to the United Nations Security Council in support of the proposal of President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of the hostages. “Numerous leaders and governments, including from the region, have supported the plan and We ask the Security Council to join them in calling for the implementation of this agreement without postponement and without further conditions,” said the American ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announcing the text.
The ambassador recalled that “the members of the Council have always asked for the steps outlined in this agreement: bringing the hostages home, ensure a complete ceasefireenable the scale-up of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the restructuring of essential services, and lay the foundations for a long-term reconstruction plan for Gaza.” Therefore, he concluded, “Council members should not miss this opportunity“.
Netanyahu gives approval to temporary truce
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ”does not agree with the end of the war” in the Strip, underlining that “the plan presented by Biden is partial” and “not accurate”, with some “gaps” compared to the Israel’s proposal. Speaking before members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Netanyahu underlined that ‘‘the war will be stopped in order to return the hostages and then we will discuss“.
Biden: “Hamas give an answer”
US President Joe Biden said that “the only obstacle to a truce is Hamas”. For this reason he asked them for an official response because “the offer now on the table represents the best possibility for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”. “Hamas’ continued refusal to release hostages would only prolong the conflict and deny relief to the people of Gaza” he adds.
The White House insists that “the ball is in Hamas’ court.” “We are waiting for an official response from them. They should accept the deal. This gives them what they were looking for, which is a ceasefire and, over time, through phases, the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza,” continued US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
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