Staff Reports
The United States, led by President Joe Biden, has thrown their hat into the ring with a proposal at the U.N. Security Council for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The move is a shocking departure from the typical staunch support for Israel that the U.S. is known for, but desperate times apparently call for desperate measures. President Biden, who is usually known for his fondness for Israel, has surprisingly called for a temporary ceasefire to save prisoners and hostages in Gaza.
Following Biden remarks, US proposes UN resolution calling for temporary ceasefire https://t.co/nVYQ3lrQL0
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 20, 2024
These developments come amid a wave of protests against President Biden, as the death toll rises in Gaza and tensions escalate. The White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, has been bombarded with questions about Israel’s military actions. Biden’s stance has shifted gears, with him denouncing Israel’s response in the Gaza strip as “over the top” on February 8th. He took it a step further, emphasizing the urgency to free American hostages and prevent a massive land invasion by Israel.
The proposed U.S. resolution at the U.N. Security Council explicitly opposes an Israeli ground offensive in southern Gaza, emphasizing the potential harm to civilians and the displacement it would cause. With roughly 1 million Palestinians seeking shelter in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the humanitarian concerns are dire. The U.S. draft urges that further military efforts in the south would only exacerbate the already dire situation for civilians.
The cautious approach in using the term “ceasefire” and the surprising pivot in the U.S.’s stance on the conflict has left many scratching their heads. The passing of the resolution would require nine votes in favor, along with the approval of the U.S., France, Britain, Russia, and China, all of whom hold considerable power. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on to make a decisive move in the U.N. Security Council.
