Members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) have circulated a draft resolution calling for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza along with the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." The draft was reportedly lightly edited in a bid to gain American support.

The draft would also "underscore" that the UN's primary agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) "remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza." Last month, Israel's Knesset voted overwhelmingly to ban the UNRWA from operating in Israel over Israeli allegations that the agency works with Hamas.

In June, the UNSC adopted a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and the release of hostages based on the parameters negotiated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, but talks stalled soon after.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly asked Ali Larijani, a top adviser to Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to help secure a cease-fire in Lebanon. Iran, which supports Hezbollah, said that it would "stand by Lebanon's government and people."

Lebanese media reported that the US handed over a draft of a proposed cease-fire deal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal Movement who has been leading the talks representing Hezbollah.

Israel is reportedly seeking security guarantees in addition to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. As negotiations progress, the fighting continues, with an Israeli strike killing 12 people after hitting a civil defense center in Baalbek on Thursday.

UNSC Draft Resolution Calls for 'Immediate' Gaza Cease-fire, Release of Hostages

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UNSC Draft Resolution Calls for 'Immediate' Gaza Cease-fire, Release of Hostages

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