(CNN) — US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that if the Algerian draft resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza is put to a vote in the UN Security Council in its current form, Washington will not adopt it.
In a statement on Saturday, Thomas-Greenfield said that the United States is working to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would allow the hostages to be released and cause the fighting to stop for at least six weeks.
“Over the past week, President Biden has made several calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, to move this deal forward. Although gaps remain, the basic elements are on the table.”
“We believe this agreement represents the best opportunity to reunite all hostages with their families and allow a long-term cessation of fighting, which will allow more food, water, fuel, medicine and other life-saving necessities to get into the hands of Palestinian civilians who need it most,” he said.
“By contrast, the resolution introduced in the Security Council will not achieve these outcomes and, in fact, could work against them… For this reason, the United States does not support any action on this draft resolution.” Thomas-Greenfield went on to say, “If it had been put to a vote as written, it would not have been adopted.”
On Wednesday, Arab countries at the United Nations affirmed their support for the Algerian draft resolution, which demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the provision of unimpeded humanitarian aid amid the imminent Israeli ground invasion of Rafah.
In a press conference with other members, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour urged the UN to act and said the group believed there was “huge” support for the proposed resolution.
In her statement on Saturday, Thomas-Greenfield called on the UN Security Council to ensure that “any action we take in the coming days increases pressure on Hamas to accept the proposal on the table” and that the United States continues to engage in the peace process. He added that the United States “will be frank” with Israeli and regional leaders about expectations regarding the protection of more than a million civilians in Rafah.
“It is important that other parties give this process the best chance of success, rather than pressing for actions that jeopardize it (and the opportunity to reach a lasting solution to the hostilities),” the statement said.
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