President Biden plans to introduce a UN Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and opposing an Israeli attack on Hamas forces in Rafah.
Rafah is Hamas’ last stronghold and key smuggling area, but taking it would require evacuating civilians.
While Israel rescued hostages from Rafah, Biden wants to let Hamas survive to leverage Israel into accepting a Palestinian state.
NEW: Last night @USUN shared its own #UNSC draft resolution on #Gaza with like minded countries. In OP3, #US draft text "determines that under current circumstances a major ground offensive into #Rafah would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement… pic.twitter.com/5RwgwzPU0j
— Rami Ayari (@Raminho) February 19, 2024
The U.S. will veto a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire but has proposed alternative language supporting a “temporary” ceasefire and opposing an offensive in Rafah on humanitarian grounds.
The U.S. draft reportedly, “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.”
Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire before freeing remaining Israeli captives, a demand Biden now backs by seeking to halt fighting temporarily in a way that would allow Hamas to survive without stating whether it sees Hamas as part of a future Gaza government.
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