The US has implored the UN Security Council to endorse a tripartite strategy, made public by President Biden, with an aim to terminate the ongoing eight-month conflict in Gaza, liberate all captives, and funnel massive relief assistance into the ravaged area.
US Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed that the USA has advanced a preliminary resolution to the council’s other 14 members advocating approval for the conflict resolution proposal. “Numerous political heads and regions have lent their support to this scheme and we appeal to the security council to unite with them in advocating for the enactment of this agreement promptly and unequivocally,” she said in an announcement.
The concise preliminary resolution would welcome the agreement revealed by Mr Biden on May 31st, and would urge Hamas “to wholly embrace and effectuate its prerequisites promptly and unconditionally”. While Hamas has communicated a favourable reception of the scheme, it does not mention Israeli acceptance of the deal.
President Biden referred to the agreement as an Israeli proposition which contains an “everlasting truce” and Israeli retreat from Gaza in the condition that Hamas liberates all hostages it has captured. Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, informed his firm government allies that Biden’s proposition aligns with Israel’s goal to dismantle Hamas.
Netanyahu has pointed out that the outline of the deal was provided by President Biden, but insists that there are details missing and that there are “voids”.
President Biden has outlined that the deal’s initial phase is set to span six weeks and will include a “thorough and complete ceasefire”, the retraction of Israeli forces from inhabited regions within Gaza, and the liberation of some hostages in exchange for the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners.
At this stage, American captives will be liberated, and the remains of slain hostages will be returned to their families. Additionally, there will be a surge in humanitarian aid, including the entry of 600 trucks into Gaza every day.
In the subsequent phase, remaining hostages including soldiers will be released, and Israeli forces will vacate Gaza. Biden stated that if Hamas upholds its obligations, the interim truce would turn into a “permanent cessation of hostilities”.
On the 7th of October, approximately 250 people, predominantly Israeli civilians, were kidnapped. Following a brief ceasefire in late November and early December, over 100 people were released. However, Israel maintains that an estimated 80 captives are still being held, along with the remains of 43 individuals.
Israeli attacks and land campaigns in Gaza, governed by Hamas, have resulted in the deaths of more than 36,000 Palestinians. This figure is according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Phase three of Mr Biden’s proposal envisions a comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza, which will require years of rebuilding due to the war-inflicted devastation.
The proposed resolution emphasises the crucial role of Israel and Hamas in honouring the deal once it is finalised. It seeks to achieve a definitive end to the hostilities and urges all member countries and the United Nations to support its enactment. It also restates the council’s unwavering commitment to a two-state resolution and underscores the need to unify the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
The American ambassador urged council members not to squander this chance and to express unanimous support for the deal. She insisted that the members have been uniformly advocating for the measures outlined in this deal.
On the other hand, the foreign ministers of five pivotal Arab countries – Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt – urged Israel and Hamas to seriously and positively consider Mr Biden’s suggestion. This ceasefire plan also received support from the G7 – the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Italy.
Meanwhile, significant parts of northern Israel have been consumed by wild fires instigated by rockets launched from Lebanon by the militant group Hizbullah. Rescue teams fought to bring them under control on Monday.
Owing to the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hizbullah, many Israelis living in towns near the Lebanon border had evacuated months prior. A few houses have ignited, as reported by local media. The Israeli military deployed equipment and personnel to control the fire, which spread swiftly due to the hot, dry climate, leaving six military reservists lightly injured.