The U.S. has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.
Blinken, speaking in Egypt, said that while talks continue between Hamas and Israel, a ceasefire with the hostages released could create an enduring peace in Gaza.
We’ve been working for an immediate ceasefire that secures the release of hostages.
This would create space to surge more humanitarian aid in Gaza, relieve the suffering of many people, and build the foundation for an enduring peace. pic.twitter.com/cAIojga9FG
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 21, 2024
“There’s a clear consensus around a number of shared priorities,” Blinken said. “First, the need for an immediate, sustained ceasefire with release of hostages. That would create space to surge more humanitarian assistance, to relieve the sufferings of many people, and to build something more enduring.”
He also implored countries to sign on to the resolution, even though the U.S. has previously vetoed multiple resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza after expressing concerns that those resolutions did not stipulate that Hamas would have to release hostages it took during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that started the current conflict.
“The gaps are narrowing, and we’re continuing to push for an agreement in Doha,” Blinken added. “Still difficult work to get there, but I continue to believe it’s possible. The United States has also put forward the United Nations Security Council resolution to support these efforts. And we hope that all countries will back that resolution.”
The secretary of state had previously told Saudi news outlet AlHadath on Wednesday that the U.S. would put before the U.N. Security Council a ceasefire resolution tied to the release of hostages.
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The war in Gaza has been raging for more than five months. The Israel Defense Forces have gone through most of the strip, killing several key Hamas leaders, but have yet to enter Rafah — which has become a contentious matter.
President Joe Biden and his administration have expressed concerns over Israel going into Rafah, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will do so due to Hamas’s presence in the city.
