US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. His country submitted a corresponding resolution to the UN Security Council – and thereby changed course.
According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the United States has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire is linked to the release of the hostages who were kidnapped in the Gaza Strip, Blinken told the Saudi Arabian media Al-Hadath. He hopes that this will send a “strong signal”.
At the same time, the Foreign Minister made it clear: “Of course we stand by Israel and support its right to self-defense.” At the same time, it is “imperative that we take care of the civilian population who are in danger and who are suffering so terribly.” It must be given priority “by protecting civilians and providing them with humanitarian assistance.” These demands are recorded in the resolution presented. No voting date has yet been set for the draft.
Is the US veto power moving away from Israel?
This represents a change in the course of the USA: In the past, it had exercised its right of veto in the UN Security Council on several resolutions calling for immediate ceasefires in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Most recently, in February, the United States blocked a draft resolution introduced by Algeria that called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” U.S. officials had since negotiated an alternative text centered on supporting local diplomatic efforts for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.
The US secretary of state’s comments came as part of a visit to Saudi Arabia, where Blinken met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan for talks on the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Agreement very possible”
In the interview, Blinken also spoke about ongoing negotiations in Qatar over an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners. “It’s getting closer. I think the differences are getting smaller and an agreement is very possible,” said Blinken about the status of negotiations.
After his stay in Saudi Arabia, Blinken traveled to Egypt and Israel. According to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, he will meet in Cairo with representatives from Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The USA, Qatar and Egypt have been mediating between Israel and the Islamist Hamas for weeks.