The United Nations Security Council is expected to consider a draft resolution on Monday morning that “demands an immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan,” three diplomats said, as well as the unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza, just days after a resolution from the United States failed following vetoes from Russia and China.
The latest resolution, put forth by 10 countries, explicitly demands a truce during Ramadan while also calling for the “immediate and unconditional” release of the more than 100 hostages still held captive in Gaza, according to a draft seen by The New York Times. The language of the proposal was still being negotiated, however, and could change before it is advanced to a vote.
The proposed resolution was jointly sponsored by Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland. Algeria also voted against the U.S.-backed cease-fire resolution on Friday, saying it did not go far enough, while Guyana abstained.
It was not immediately clear whether the new draft would pass the Security Council, nor whether it had American support. But China’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that it would back the resolution, removing one potential obstacle.
“The draft clearly calls for a cease-fire and expanded humanitarian relief in Gaza, which is in line with the correct direction of the Security Council’s actions,” Lin Jian, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters. He added: “It is hoped that the Security Council will send a strong signal for a cease-fire and an end to the war as soon as possible.”
Roughly 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli authorities, prompting Israel to launch its blistering offensive in Gaza. The holy month of Ramadan is about at its midpoint, and is scheduled to end around April 9.
