US seeks UN council vote on Gaza ceasefire

The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council proposing a ceasefire in Gaza, with a vote anticipated on Friday, as announced by a spokesperson for the U.S. UN Ambassador. The resolution explicitly supports diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire that would result in the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The latest draft viewed by Reuters calls for an ‘immediate and durable ceasefire’ of about six weeks to protect civilians and allow for humanitarian aid delivery. Passage of the resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes without a veto from any of the permanent Security Council members: the US, France, Britain, Russia, or China. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, Mossad Chief David Barnea will meet mediators in Qatar on Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken notes that gaps are narrowing in ceasefire negotiations, even as he continues his Middle East tour.