US proposed UN res. for 'temporary ceasefire as soon as practicable'
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The US draft is a response to Algeria's proposal of a complete and permanent ceasefire.
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A Palestinian youth carries a bucket with roses at the market in Rafah on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP)
The United States has proposed a draft resolution for the United Nations Security Council's "support for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable," Reuters reported, after seeing the text.
The draft text "determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighboring countries."
It also reiterates the context of last week's conversation between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The draft US resolution claims that Israeli plans to invade Rafah "would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances."
Read next: Biden urges Netanyahu to ensure civilian safety before Rafah invasion
It is worth mentioning two aspects of this issue. One, a temporary ceasefire goes against what the US has been claiming it aims for, which is the protection of civilians in Gaza. Even if a ceasefire does occur, temporary means it is intended to begin again. Two, "Israel" has already and more than once voiced that it does not intend to implement a ceasefire and Netanyahu has countless expressed that the aggression will not stop until he achieves his war objectives, so the "practicability" part of the draft is extremely questionable in this context.
In this case, it may be safe to say that this draft resolution by the US is just lip service to pretend it cares for civilian lives and as a way to silence the rising crowds against its policies.
This comes two days after Algeria requested the UNSC vote on its draft resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Unsurprisingly and as done before, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield took no time to indicate that it would be vetoed.
The draft resolution rejects "the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population" and urges the entry of humanitarian aid "fully, quickly, safely, and without hindrance, to the entire Gaza Strip." It also calls on "all parties to comply with international law."
She claimed that the text could jeopardize the "sensitive negotiations" regarding the release of captives.
This is not the first time the US exercised its veto power or tried to have the upper hand in the ceasefire.
Back in October, the United States blocked a UN Security Council resolution, drafted by Brazil, that urged "Israel" to revoke its evacuation order for the people of Gaza.
