The Security Council will vote on Monday on a draft resolution prepared by the United States supporting a proposal put forth by Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. president's proposal to end the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip consists of three phases. The first phase includes a temporary ceasefire lasting six weeks, followed by the withdrawal of the Israeli army from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip. This phase also includes the exchange of some prisoners and hostages between Israel and Hamas, with the aim of releasing all hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in the second phase. The third phase focuses on the reconstruction of the Strip.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Egypt on Monday, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza, and to ensure that the war does not extend to Lebanon. Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo and is scheduled to head to Israel later on Monday, where he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant. This marks Blinken's eighth trip to the region since October 7, when the most deadly chapter in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted. This week's trip will also include Jordan and Qatar.
