US urges UN Security Council to back ceasefire plan

Palestinians inspect a destroyed car targeted in Israeli bombardment in the central Gaza Strip. Pic/AFP

The US urged the UN Security Council on Monday to support the three-phase plan announced by President Joe Biden aimed at ending the nearly eight-month war in Gaza, freeing all hostages and sending massive aid into the devastated territory.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US circulated a draft resolution to the 14 other council members to back the proposal for ending the conflict that began with Hamas' surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians.

"Numerous leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan and we call on the Security Council to join them in calling for implementation of this deal without delay and further conditions," she said in a statement.

The brief draft resolution would welcome the May 31 deal announced by Biden and call on Hamas "to accept it fully and implement its terms without delay and without condition". Hamas has said it views the proposal "positively".

Two Palestinians killed in West Bank

The Israeli military said Tuesday it killed two Palestinians, who it claimed were attempting to launch a shooting attack toward Israeli communities from the occupied West Bank. Residents of Israeli communities just outside the West Bank have reported an uptick in shootings emanating from the occupied Palestinian territory in recent days.

Protesters set up tents at LA city hall

Pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Monday night. About 50 protesters with 20 tents were seen lined up on the sidewalks outside the building at Main and First streets. Several tents had Palestinian flags and phrases such as "Free Palestine" and "Free Gaza."

Israel declares four more hostages dead

Four more hostages kidnapped on October 7 were declared dead by the Israeli military - including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging to be released. The announcement heightens pressure on the Israeli government to agree to a US ceasefire proposal that could secure the return of other hostages.

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