The US has circulated a draft United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
“Well, in fact, we actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that’s before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, and we hope very much that countries will support that,” Blinken said.
“I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal,” he told Saudi media outlet Al Hadath.
Blinken is likely to travel to Israel this week as part of his sixth urgent mission to West Asia since the Israelis’ war with Hamas began in October.
In Saudi Arabia, Blinken met foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and then held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The US has so far vetoed any UNSC resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself … but at the same time, it’s imperative that the civilians who are in harm’s way and who are suffering so terribly – that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance,” Blinken added.
The US has been working with other partners in the region to focus on diplomatic efforts on the ground for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of hostages. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that its troops would move into Rafah.
The visit comes at a time when a third of the US Senate’s Democrats called on President Joe Biden’s administration to take bold calls in establishing a Palestinian state.
At least 70 people had been killed in Gaza in Israel bombing. UN agencies have warned that Gaza’s 2.4 million people are on the brink of famine with food supplies not being allowed to enter.
