Hamas-Israel conflict: US talks with UN and other countries about draft ceasefire proposal

According to a press release on the US State Department website, spokesman Matthew Miller said that US Secretary of State Blinken expressed his gratitude to Secretary-General Guterres for his public support for the proposed agreement to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, secure the release of all hostages, and end the crisis in Gaza. Secretary Blinken highlighted the importance of the UN Security Council calling for the immediate implementation of the agreement. Secretary Blinken and Secretary-General Guterres also emphasized the urgent need to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.

On the same day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone call with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf to exchange views on the ceasefire and hostage release proposal announced by US President Joe Biden in late May to resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry said the two senior diplomats also discussed the conditions under which the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) could consider the proposal.

The Algerian Foreign Minister stressed the need to seize the opportunities offered by the proposal to ensure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and move towards a final, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.

For his part, the US Secretary of State stressed that this proposal would allow for increased humanitarian assistance, the return of displaced people to areas across Gaza, and the launch of international reconstruction efforts.

On June 3, the United States announced a draft resolution it would submit to the UN Security Council, calling on the 15-member council to support the proposal. Algeria made a similar move on May 28, sending a draft resolution to the council calling for an immediate end to the conflict in Gaza and military operations in the city of Rafah. However, the UN Security Council has not yet scheduled a vote on either draft.

Regarding the above-mentioned ceasefire proposal, on June 4, Osama Hamdan - a senior official of the Hamas Islamic movement emphasized that the movement cannot accept any agreement that does not ensure Israel's clear stance on a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of forces from Gaza as well as a hostage exchange agreement. Qatar said that it is also waiting for Israel's clear stance on these issues.

Egypt's Al-Qahera News channel quoted sources as saying that the country's security delegation will meet with its US and Qatari counterparts on June 5 in Doha to discuss mechanisms to resume talks on a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The source added that the Egyptian security delegation is intensifying communications with all relevant parties to promote a roadmap for negotiations to reach an agreement on Gaza.

Regarding the issue of humanitarian aid in Gaza, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on June 5 stressed the need to open all border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel, to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safety of international relief teams inside this Mediterranean coastal strip.

Mr Shoukry made the remarks during a phone call with his British counterpart David Cameron, in which both foreign ministers urged all sides to reach an agreement to prevent the humanitarian disaster being endured by the people of Gaza.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement stated that during the phone call, Mr. Shoukry reiterated the need for the international community to put pressure on Israel to comply with its legal obligations, ensure full and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people in the strip, and end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, including the southern city of Rafah.