US joins European efforts for UN resolution on Gaza

With Egyptian efforts to end the Gaza war collapsing, the United States, Britain, France and Germany are discussing a possible Security Council resolution calling for a sustainable ceasefire and an international monitoring mission to ensure its implementation, UN diplomats say.

Diplomats say the US, Israel’s main ally, has joined the European effort to produce a resolution that would call for a ceasefire and advance the goal of a durable peace.

“This is not a competition,” says an American diplomat in Washington. “We share with other Security Council members a concern over the return to hostilities following the breach of the Egyptian-brokered humanitarian ceasefire. And the council has called on all parties to prevent the situation from escalating and to resume negotiations.”

Another diplomat says both Israeli and Palestinian officials have privately suggested Security Council action would be helpful in persuading their constituents to accept measures to end the conflict.

“The message that we are getting from both sides is that it would be helpful to prescribe some elements to enable them to sell it internally,” the diplomat says.

— AP