“Of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself… but at the same time, it’s imperative that the civilians who are in harm’s way and who are suffering so terribly -– that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance,” Blinken said.Since blocking an Algerian draft resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza at the end of February, US officials have been negotiating an alternative text focusing on support for diplomatic efforts on the ground for a six-week truce in exchange for the release of hostages.According to diplomatic sources, this text had little chance of gaining the Council’s approval and a new version was circulated to Security Council members on Wednesday.The amended draft, seen by AFP, stresses “the need for an immediate and durable ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides, enable the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, and alleviate suffering… in conjunction with the release of hostages still held”.No vote has yet been scheduled on this text.Blinken’s latest tour runs parallel with talks in Qatar, where mediators met for a third day on Wednesday in a renewed effort to secure a ceasefire but with little indication of an imminent agreement.The plan being discussed in Qatar would temporarily halt the fighting as hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of relief supplies is stepped up.”It’s getting closer. I think the gaps are narrowing, and I think an agreement is very much possible,” Blinken said of the mediation in Doha.”We worked very hard with Qatar, with Egypt, and with Israel to put a strong proposal on the table… Hamas wouldn’t accept it,” he said.”They came back with other requests, other demands. The negotiators are working on that right now.”Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed almost 32,000 people, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. More than 14,000 children have been killed by the Israel army in Gaza’s bloodiest war so far.
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