The US says it wants the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution backing the proposal outlined by President Joe Biden to end fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
It circulated a one-page draft text on Monday, seen by Reuters, to the 15-member council. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, China or Russia to pass.
The draft calls on Hamas to accept the deal and "fully and implement its terms without delay and without condition". It also "stresses the importance of the parties adhering to the terms of the deal once agreed, with the aim of bringing about a permanent cessation of hostilities".
The US proposal comes a week after Algeria proposed a draft Security Council resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire, release of all hostages held by Hamas and essentially ordering Israel to "immediately halt its military offensive" in Rafah.
Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages, saying "it's time for this war to end" and winning a positive initial reaction from Hamas.
"Numerous leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan and we call on the Security Council to join them in calling for implementation of this deal," said US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a statement.
She urged council members to adopt the resolution. "We must speak with one voice in support of this deal," she said.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies said in a statement that they "fully endorse and will stand behind the comprehensive" ceasefire and hostage release deal. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt said it was important to "deal seriously and positively."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military says another four Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 have died in captivity and that their bodies are being held by the Palestinian Islamist group.
The four men were identified as Chaim Peri, 80, Yoram Metzger, 80, Amiram Cooper, 84, and Nadav Popplewell, 51.
All four were filmed alive in hostage videos posted by Hamas.
Hamas said Popplewell had died of wounds sustained during an Israeli air strike when posting his video last month.
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that new intelligence led to confirmation of their deaths.
The military believes the four were killed together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis a "number of months" ago when Israeli forces were operating in the city, Hagari said in remarks that were broadcast.
"We are thoroughly examining the circumstances of their deaths and checking all possibilities. We will present soon the findings, first to their families, and then to the public," he said.
"We will present them with transparency, as we have done until now."
