US locks in UN resolution backing efforts to broker Gaza truce

The U.S. on Thursday finalized its draft U.N. Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, traditionally the final step before asking for a vote on the text that would back international efforts to broker an immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage release deal. The final draft, seen by Reuters "unequivocally supports international diplomatic efforts to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire as part of a deal that releases the hostages, and that allows the basis for a more durable peace to alleviate humanitarian suffering." It was not immediately clear when or if the U.S. would ask the 15-member council to vote on the text negotiated over the past month.