The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinkensees an agreement for the truce Between Israel e Hamas closer. During his new tour in the Middle East, the head of American diplomacy engaged in mediation work between the parties in conflict in Gaza he said he thought “the gap is narrowing and that an agreement is absolutely possible.” Also for this reason United States have presented, Blinken himself announced, “a resolution now under consideration UN Security Council who asks for a cease-fire immediately linked to the release of the hostages and we sincerely hope that the countries support it”.
Blinken reconstructs from his point of view the steps taken to encourage rapprochement between the leaders of Tel Aviv and those of the armed Palestinian party that governs the Strip: “We worked very hard with the Qatarcon Egypt and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table. We did it, Hamas he didn’t accept, they came back with more demands and more demands, the negotiators are working on it right now. We have to see if Hamas can say yes to the proposal. If it does, it will be the most immediate way to alleviate the misery of the people of Gaza which is exactly what we want.”
A step forward, however, could also take place at United Nations. Since the beginning of the war the United States has placed the veto to several Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and lasting ceasefires. Now, however, he himself is the one to present a resolution with this request Washington which wants to send a “strong signal” and underline the American “commitment” to a “sustainable solution to the crisis” and to the creation of a “future Palestinian state” that offers security guarantees to Israel. The US draft will be put to the vote on Friday: the text states that “the Security Council determines that an immediate and sustained ceasefire is imperative to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance and alleviate suffering humanitarian”. And “towards this goal it unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages.” This is the strongest language used by the United States so far, considering that only last month they objected to the use of the term “immediate” in a draft presented by theAlgeria.
The Israeli military operation continues for the fourth consecutive dayal-Shifa hospital. Tel Aviv announced that it had killed “140 terrorists” during this long blitz and found inside the structure 3 million dollars presumably from Hamas or other armed groups. In addition to this, around 3,700 Palestinian civilians are said to have been evacuated from the medical center and headed towards the south of the Strip. The violence also continues in West Bankespecially a Tulkareemdove Idf and local militias clashed resulting in the death of 4 Palestinians.
In the meantime, the European Council underway in Brussels has also taken a position on the truce: the leaders of the Union are calling for “an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire. Full and safe humanitarian access to Gaza is essential to provide the civilian population with life-saving assistance in a catastrophic situation in Gaza,” summarizes President Charles Michel. In the morning the High Representative for Foreign Policy Joseph Borrell he reiterated that “Israel has the right to defend itself, but not to take revenge. Why don’t we analyze whether what is happening in Gaza is in line with international law? Because otherwise it’s just rhetoric. We cannot close our eyes, complain but do nothing. I hope that the European Council today sends a strong message to Israel. The US will present a resolution to the UN in which for the first time they ask for a truce together with the release of the hostages. The children are starving“.
Strong and unified statement of EU leaders on the Middle East at #EUCO tonight!
The EU calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
Full & safe humanitarian access into Gaza is essential to provide the civilian population with life-saving…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) March 21, 2024