The leading Arab state on the UN security council, Algeria, sought a vote yesterday in New York on its resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and supporting the provisional orders issued against Israel by the international court of justice three weeks ago. The US vetoed the resolution - having already come to Israel's defence twice in this manner since 7 October.
On Monday, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield, explained the thinking of Joe Biden's administration.
"The US is working on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, which would bring an immediate and sustained period of calm to Gaza for at least six weeks, and from which we could then take the time and the steps to build a more enduring peace," she said.
This story is from the February 21, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the February 21, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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