The United States announced on Thursday that it will support a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council, after blocking previous attempts by other members to issue a statement on the escalating conflict.
The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that after four days of intensive negotiations with Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and other parties, the U.S. was ready to move forward with a resolution that would endorse an extended humanitarian pause and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
“We have been working tirelessly through diplomatic channels to try to bring an end to this conflict,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “The United States has made clear that we are prepared to lend our support and good offices to the parties should they seek a ceasefire.”
The U.S. decision came after mounting pressure from the international community and some of its own allies, who criticized the U.S. for repeatedly blocking a joint statement by the Security Council that would have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians.
The U.S. argued that such a statement would undermine its bilateral efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza. The U.S. also said that it was giving Israel time to degrade Hamas’ military capabilities and defend itself from rocket attacks.
However, the U.S. stance faced growing opposition from France, Norway, Tunisia, China, Russia, and others, who drafted their own resolution on Wednesday and urged the U.S. to join them in supporting it.
The French-led resolution, which has not been formally circulated yet, calls for a ceasefire, the respect of international humanitarian law, the access of humanitarian aid, and the resumption of peace talks based on a two-state solution.
The resolution also condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Hamas and other groups, as well as the disproportionate use of force by Israel, which has killed more than 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, and injured more than 1,700 others in Gaza, according to health officials.
The resolution also expresses concern over the situation in East Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities have evicted Palestinian families, raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and clashed with protesters, sparking the latest round of violence.
The resolution also calls for the protection of civilians and the preservation of the historic status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, which are sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
The U.S. said that it will work with France and other members to finalize the text of the resolution and put it to a vote as soon as possible.
“We hope that this resolution will send a clear message to the parties that the Security Council is united in its demand for a ceasefire, and that the Council is ready to take action to support it,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
The U.S. also said that it will continue to engage with Israel, Hamas, and other regional partners to facilitate a lasting peace in the Middle East.
“We remain committed to a two-state solution as the best way to achieve a just and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “We urge all parties to refrain from any actions that could further escalate the situation and jeopardize the prospects for a peaceful future.”
