Growing pressure on Israel
The USA is now also calling for an immediate ceasefire
March 6, 2024, 4:07 a.m
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As Israel’s closest ally, the USA has so far blocked resolutions in the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war. Now Washington is tightening the wording of its own draft.
After months of struggle for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the USA has introduced an amended draft resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the UN Security Council. The draft resolution for the most powerful UN body in New York now states that there is a need “quickly and urgently for an agreement on an immediate ceasefire of around six weeks in Gaza and the release of all hostages.” The original US draft had called for a “temporary ceasefire” in the war between Israel and Hamas.
The new wording follows a clear call from US Vice President Kamala Harris. Since the start of the war last year, Washington, as Israel’s closest ally, has opposed calls for an “immediate ceasefire” and vetoed three resolutions, partly because they did not condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel. In view of the increasing number of civilian casualties and the threat of famine in the Gaza Strip, the USA is now increasing pressure on Israel.
The remaining 14 members of the Security Council can register changes to the draft. When and whether there will be a vote is unclear. Security Council resolutions are binding under international law. If an affected state ignores them, the body can impose sanctions.
Worry about fighting during Ramadan
Meanwhile, the US, Qatar and Egypt are trying to achieve at least a short ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at talks in Cairo, reports the Wall Street Journal. Even if such an initial ceasefire only lasts a few days, both sides could at least make it clear that they are seriously interested in a longer agreement, they said.
US President Joe Biden once again emphasized that he believes a temporary ceasefire before the fasting month of Ramadan is urgently needed. “If we get into circumstances where this continues through Ramadan, then it could be very, very dangerous,” Biden said. Ramadan begins around March 10th. “The hostage deal is in the hands of Hamas right now,” Biden added.
Israel and some negotiators believed that Hamas wanted to escalate the fighting to inflame tensions across the region during the holy month of fasting for Muslims, writes the Wall Street Journal. For its part, Hamas points to Israel’s threat to launch the planned ground offensive in Rafah on Gaza’s southern border if no agreement is reached by Ramadan. Israel wants to destroy the last remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. In the city that borders Egypt, around 1.5 million Palestinians are currently seeking protection from the fighting in other parts of Gaza.