It will be the first vote by the council on the conflict since the US vetoed a UAE-introduced resolution that called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” on December 8. The wider UN General Assembly last week voted overwhelmingly in support of a ceasefire, though the resolution it ultimately passed is nonbinding.
Today’s vote was delayed from yesterday, when members reached an impasse over the phrasing of calls for the “cessation of hostilities”. The new draft calls for “urgent steps towards a suspension of hostilities”.
The draft also calls for the UN secretary-general to create a monitoring mechanism for all aid to Gaza. It demands the parties to the conflict fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and enable “the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip”.
The US is one of five permanent members of the Security Council with veto power.
Source: AlJazeera
