US revises Gaza Security Council draft to reflect Harris comments on ‘catastrophe’

The United States has revised language in a draft UN Security Council resolution to back “an immediate ceasefire of roughly six-weeks in Gaza together with the release of all hostages,” according to the text seen by Reuters.

The third revision of the text — first proposed by the United States two weeks ago — now reflects blunt remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris calling on Israel to do more to ease the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

The initial US draft had shown support for “a temporary ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war. The Biden administration has refrained from calling for a permanent ceasefire, noting that leaving Hamas intact would allow it to continue threatening Israel, even as it has stepped up rhetoric critical of Israel’s war effort over the humanitarian toll.

Washington has vetoed three draft council resolutions – two of which would have demanded an immediate ceasefire – during the five-month-long war. Most recently, the US justified its veto by saying that such council action could jeopardize efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar to broker a pause in the war and the release of hostages.

Washington has said it plans to allow time for negotiations on its draft and will not rush to a vote. To pass, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, Russia or China.