NEW YORK: US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Friday feared that Algeria’s draft Security Council resolution stressing for a Gaza ceasefire could harm sensitive talks aimed at brokering a pause in Gaza war.
Algeria has shared the draft of resolution with the 15-member council on Wednesday. It called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It is not clear when Algeria could put the draft resolution for voting.
Greenfield told reporters the said resolution could put sensitive talks and derail the ongoing, exhaustive diplomatic moves to secure the release of captives, and secure an extended pause that Palestinian civilians and aid workers urgently need.
The United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar last week drafted a proposal for a pause in Gaza fighting and are awaiting a response from Hamas. Earlier a truce lasted only for a week in late November last year.
The US envoy added that if accepted and implemented, this proposal would move all stakeholders one step closer for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
She went on to say that the council has the obligation to increase pressure on Hamas to accept this peace proposal.
Meanwhile, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has met with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and briefed him about the talks,
