The United States is pushing for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters an unconditional pause in fighting that doesn’t include the release of hostages only benefits Hamas.
“A matter that we have been pursuing for some time, trying to get a temporary ceasefire in exchange for a release of hostages and something we think is critical to try to achieve and will continue to focus on.”
This comes after the U.S. today vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution introduced by Algeria calling for a ceasefire. Here’s Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield:
“[It] will not bring about a durable peace. Instead, it could extend the fighting between Hamas and Israel.”
It was the third U.S. veto of a draft resolution since the start of fighting in the Gaza Strip on October 7. The U.S. is instead circulating its own resolution by trying to pause fighting and the release of the remaining hostages.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
