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US submits Security Council resolution but exact wording unclear
The US has circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages” in Gaza, US Secretary of State Blinken has said.
But Al Jazeera’s Diplomatic Editor James Bays says while the development “sounds very important”, the “exact language” of the resolution is important. Bays said that in a non-finalised copy of the US resolution obtained by Al Jazeera, it was ambiguous what the US was actually demanding.
“It’s certainly the strongest language yet, but is it what the rest of the Security Council wants in terms of a demand for an immediate ceasefire? Or is it just as a resolution where the Security Council would say an immediate ceasefire is something that’s very important?” he said.
Blinken’s latest Middle East tour began in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Today he will head to Cairo to meet with Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official.
What does the US-submitted draft resolution say?
Al Jazeera has obtained a copy of the draft resolution submitted by the US to the UN Security Council.
It reads: “The Security Council determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, allow for the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, and alleviate humanitarian suffering and towards that end unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.”
What does that even mean?? It says to deem a sustained ceasefire essential / urgent, yet only to support ongoing diplomatic efforts. So not demanding a ceasefire at all, just to keep negotiating, which has just resulted in prolonging the war so far.
What to know about the latest draft resolution
We’ve asked Al Jazeera’s Diplomatic Editor James Bays to unpack the text of the US-submitted draft resolution:
“It is also about the specific language, and also how other Security Council members are going to view the resolution because this is not the only draft resolution that’s floating around.
“The language of other resolutions that the US has vetoed have demanded a ceasefire. This one uses the words, ‘determines the imperative’, so it says it is important that there is a ceasefire. It is not really demanding one now and the ceasefire seems to be also directly linked to the release of the people held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.
“My suspicion is that what the US is trying to do is have this resolution ready while the talks continue in Doha – the idea being that you get some sort of deal in Doha for a ceasefire and a release of the captives, and then you pass this resolution in the Security Council. That, I think, is the timing but we’ll need more clarity.”
So just for a political 'win' then...
Palestinians desperate for a ceasefire
Palestinians in Gaza are drained as they wait for a possible durable ceasefire. They are desperate for a semblance of peace and stability in their lives. They are going through a worsening hunger crisis, especially in the north where there is acute famine that has killed at least 27 children. Resources and basic supplies remain scarce.
All of this is happening as they endure an intense bombing campaign, which has so far killed close to 32,000 people, mostly women and children. It is a very difficult period for Palestinians and they are desperate for a ceasefire.
