The United States revised language in a draft United Nations Security Council resolution to back “an immediate ceasefire of roughly six-weeks in Gaza together with the release of all hostages,” according to the text seen by Reuters.

The third revision of the text - first proposed by the US two weeks ago - now reflects blunt remarks by Vice President Kamala Harris. The initial US draft had shown support for “a temporary ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The US wants any Security Council support for a ceasefire to be linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Washington had been averse to the word ceasefire.