Russia and China, which hold veto power in the United Nations Security Council, raised concerns yesterday about a U.S. draft resolution supporting a proposal from President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Diplomats said that Algeria, the only Arab country member of the council, also signaled its unwillingness to support the text.
The resolution requires the approval of at least nine votes and the non-use of the veto by the permanent members of the council. These countries are the United States, France, Britain, China, and Russia.
The United States is seeking international support for the proposal, which Hamas is still reviewing, and distributed a one-page draft resolution to the 15-member Security Council on Monday and a revised version on Wednesday, which Reuters has seen.
The current draft welcomes the ceasefire proposal and describes it as "acceptable" to Israel, "and calls on Hamas to accept it as well, urging both parties to fully implement its terms without delay or conditions."
It includes some details of the proposal such as "a complete and comprehensive ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip as part of the first phase and a "permanent cessation of hostilities" in the second phase "based on an agreement between the parties."
However, diplomats said that some council members raised questions about whether Israel had actually accepted the plan and want the council to adhere to a demand issued in March for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
Russia proposed amendments to the U.S. text, which Reuters has seen, including a call for both Hamas and Israel to accept the proposal and a demand for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire to be adhered to by all parties.
Moscow also wants the draft to emphasize that the first phase of the ceasefire will remain in effect as long as negotiations regarding the second phase continue, which aligns with statements made by Biden last week.