U.S. calls for ‘immediate’ ceasefire as Gaza war rages
Any immediate truce must be linked to the release of hostages snatched by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack, Blinken says; the latest Israeli attack pushes the toll towards 32,000
The United States has circulated for the first time a draft UN resolution calling for an “immediate” ceasefire in the IsraelHamas war, as warnings grow of famine in besieged Gaza.
Washington had blocked previous Security Council texts using the word “immediate” but U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken confirmed the shift in position on Wednesday.
Mr. Blinken, who is to meet five Arab foreign ministers in Egypt on Thursday, stressed any immediate truce must be linked to the release of hostages snatched by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack that set off the war. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza continued overnight with the Health Ministry in the Hamasrun territory saying at least 70 people had been killed, pushing the overall toll towards 32,000.
Gaza’s biggest hospital has emerged as a major flashpoint after Israel accused Palestinian militants of hiding out there and launched a dayslong raid, which it said on Thursday had killed more than 140 fighters.
Hamas said the ongoing attack on the vast AlShifa hospital complex, crowded with patients and people seeking refuge, was a crime. Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has largely collapsed and UN agencies are warning that the territory’s 2.4 million people are on the brink of famine.
The United States has vetoed previous UN Security Council texts on the nearly sixmonth war, objecting even last month to the term “immediate” in a draft submitted by Algeria.
A new version circulated by the United States stressed “the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire” to protect civilians and allow aid into the territory.
No vote has been scheduled on the text but Mr. Blinken told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath on Wednesday that support for the resolution would send a “strong message”.