US to call for ‘temporary ceasefire’ in Gaza with UN draft resolution opposing Rafah offensive

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The United States has proposed a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for a “temporary ceasefire” in Gaza, after repeatedly resisting global demands to pressure Israel to immediately halt its devastating siege in the beleaguered strip. The latest proposal warns that Israel’s planned ground invasion in Rafah would “result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighbouring countries” and “would have serious implications for regional peace and security, and therefore underscores that such a major ground offensive should not proceed under current circumstances.” Last week, President Biden warned Mr Netanyahu that that such an operation “should not proceed,” according to a readout of their call from the White House. The latest resolution from Algeria would demand an immediate ceasefire and call on Israel and Hamas to “scrupulously comply” with international law to protect civilians and rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes. On Saturday, Ms Thomas-Greenfield said current negotiations among US officials with Israel and others would create the “best opportunity to reunite all hostages with their families and enable a prolonged pause in fighting, that would allow for more lifesaving food, water, fuel, medicine, and other essentials to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who desperately need it.” Algeria’s resolution “would not achieve these outcomes, and indeed, may run counter to them,” she said.