The US-led UN resolution on Gaza was more cautious: only “a cease-fire is required”, with no clear appeal to Israel

Whether so cautious or not, Sonnens says, the US resolution signals a gradual waning of US patience with Israel's approach to the Gaza Strip. “We've been told for weeks that a ceasefire is coming, but each time new conditions are imposed. I think the Americans are at a loss as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to continue his ground invasion of the southern city. Rafa's.”

A few days ago, Netanyahu announced that he had approved plans for a ground invasion, although it was still unclear when the invasion would begin. “One and a half million civilians are crammed into Rafah. It will be an unprecedented massacre that will cost Americans all moral credit in the world.”

The US is still cautious about the draft resolution regarding this impending ground attack. It will only be mentioned in the introduction. “That's certainly not to say that a ground attack shouldn't happen,” Sonnens said.

However, the US is putting pressure on the Netanyahu government in another way, not to launch a ground attack in Rafah. For example, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to look at alternatives. Austin also called for more to be done to protect civilians and get emergency aid into the Gaza Strip.