In a move of diplomatic deliberation, UN Security Council diplomats have decided to postpone the vote on a resolution aimed at bolstering humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The decision to delay the vote until Friday comes amidst ongoing efforts to facilitate a new truce between Israel and Hamas, with the hope of securing the release of hostages.
UN Security Council Vote Delays Again
Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations Osama Abdelkhalek speaks during a General Assembly meeting to vote on a non-binding resolution demanding "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza at UN headquarters in New York on December 12, 2023.
In this pursuit, further discussions have taken place in Egypt, as international stakeholders strive to find common ground and bring an end to the conflict. The UN vote has been postponed, even as the United States announces its newfound support for a revised proposal.
Per Reuters, the amended resolution would entail a demand for both Israel and Hamas to permit the utilization of "all available routes" to facilitate humanitarian deliveries.
Amid ongoing diplomatic endeavors, the conflict in the Gaza Strip has escalated, as Israeli forces have intensified their bombardments in both the northern and southern regions of the 41 km (25 mile)-long Palestinian territory. In response, Hamas has launched rockets toward Tel Aviv, Israel's bustling commercial capital, according to officials on Thursday.
In a recent statement on the messaging platform Telegram, the Iraqi group known as Kataeb Hezbollah, also referred to as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting Israel's city of Eilat.
According to medics, a total of fourteen Palestinians lost their lives on Thursday in the Gaza Strip due to three distinct incidents involving Israeli forces. These attacks occurred in different regions, namely the northern, central, and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
A tragic incident occurred in Khan Younis where the Hamas-appointed director of the police station, along with members of his family, lost their lives in a strike on their residence.
Read Also: Hamas Chief Visits Cairo, Fueling Talks of Another Truce
US Signals Backing
In a statement, Washington expressed its concern regarding the resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates, suggesting that it could potentially impede the flow of aid into Gaza. In a development that follows a series of negotiations spanning approximately two weeks, the United States has made its latest announcement.
Throughout the week, the Security Council has consistently delayed the draft resolution, which seeks to establish a ceasefire of some kind, due to ongoing disputes over the wording. A sustainable cessation of hostilities was outlined, however, the final version now emphasizes the need to establish the necessary conditions for such a cessation.
The requirement for utilizing all land, sea, and air routes for deliveries has been modified. The revised directive now calls for the utilization of all available routes, rather than specifically mandating the use of all land, sea, and air routes. In a move that aims to expedite the delivery of aid, the proposal establishes a mechanism that emphasizes the importance of consulting with relevant parties, including Israel.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emerged from a closed-door session on Thursday night, vehemently refuting allegations that the latest draft had been diluted. In her statement, she asserted that the resolution in question remains robust and forceful.
In her statement, she referred to it as "a resolution that we can support," yet refrained from disclosing whether the United States intends to cast a positive vote or abstain from voting altogether.
On Thursday, a significant point of contention emerged regarding the proposal in question, which suggested the establishment of a United Nations mechanism to oversee the delivery of aid into Gaza. The Arab group of nations emphasized that this provision was crucial and must be included in any resolution deemed substantial.
The United States has expressed concerns that implementing a new monitoring mechanism could potentially strip Israel of its control over the screening process. Consequently, the US has requested a further delay in order to engage in discussions with Egypt regarding the feasibility of establishing a monitoring system that would be acceptable to all parties involved.
In a current development, it has been reported that Israel is closely monitoring all aid and fuel deliveries to the region of Gaza.
A resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza received substantial backing from the majority of the Security Council. Out of the 15 members, an impressive 13 expressed their support for the resolution. However, it is worth noting that the United States exercised its veto power, effectively blocking the resolution. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom opted to abstain from voting on the matter.
In a similar stance to Israel, the United States has expressed its objection to a ceasefire, citing concerns that it would ultimately benefit Hamas. Instead, the US is lending its support to the idea of implementing temporary pauses in the ongoing conflict.
Since then, there has been a growing pressure for a pause in fighting. In a recent statement, Hamas reported that the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 20,000 during the course of the past 10 weeks of ongoing conflict. In a dire warning issued on Thursday, the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) cautioned that Gaza faced the imminent threat of famine should the ongoing conflict persist, as per BBC.
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