Jordan circulates revised UN resolution on Gaza

Jordan is circulating a revised UN resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and condemning “all violence and hostilities against civilians.”

Jordan’s new UN Ambassador Dina Kawar says the draft resolution, backed by the Palestinians and Arab nations, was submitted to the Security Council in a form that could be put to a vote.

Kawar says Jordan is “very happy” with the 72-hour truce announced late Monday and its main purpose in the resolution is to make the cessation of hostilities permanent and have it lead to a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and reconstruction of Gaza.

“We are in consultation with all council members and we hope by the next day or two that we come with a product,” she says.

The revised resolution is likely to face an uphill struggle to win approval from the United States, Israel’s closest ally and a veto-wielding council member, especially because it makes no mention of Hamas or its rocketing of Israel. The draft urges support for the Egyptian cease-fire initiative, calls for “the sustained reopening” of crossing points into the Gaza Strip, and calls on the UN to establish “a mechanism” to monitor implementation of a ceasefire agreement and report on any violations.

It expresses “grave concern” at the heavy casualties and displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and calls for the protection of civilians, including an end to military reprisals, collective punishment and the excessive use of force against the Palestinian civilian population.

—AP