US President Joe Biden spent months calling for a “pause” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. However, as Israel prepares for a ground offensive in Rafah, his language shifts to highlight the necessity for a “temporary ceasefire”.
It may appear to be a little rhetorical distinction, but it brings Biden closer to many people across the world, as well as those within his own Democratic Party, who want a lasting ceasefire in a war that has killed almost 30,000 Palestinians.
The United States has vetoed three draft UNSC resolutions regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The most recent two vetoes prevented text calling for an emergency humanitarian ceasefire. However, Washington has now presented its own draft resolution that includes the word “ceasefire”.
According to the document reviewed by Reuters, the draft calls for a short ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas battle in exchange for the release of Hamas detainees, and it condemns Israel’s big ground attack in Rafah.
Until the draft proposal, Washington avoided using the word “ceasefire” in reference to any UN action on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The new US document reflects words made by Biden in public earlier this month about the situation.
“I’m pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage cease-fire because, as you know, I’ve been working tirelessly on this deal,” Biden told reporters at the White House on February 8, describing Israel’s response in Gaza as “over the top,” his harshest criticism to yet.
