Further Delays in UN Vote on Resolution Urging Ceasefire in Gaza
Intense UN negotiations delay crucial vote on resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza, aiming to facilitate vital aid entry Diplomats working tirelessly to address humanitarian crisis
The anticipated UN Security Council vote on a resolution to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza has been postponed once again and is now scheduled for Wednesday, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. Diplomats reported that intense negotiations were taking place at the United Nations before the expected vote on Tuesday, which aims to cease hostilities and facilitate the entry of essential aid into Gaza.
Diplomats had been collaborating in private to finalize a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates. The vote, initially planned for Monday, was postponed by a day to allow for additional negotiation time.
The postponement until Wednesday indicates that there is still no consensus on wording that would secure a "yes" vote from the United States, or at least an abstention that would enable the resolution to be passed.
"We are still finalizing the specifics of the resolution," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, during a Tuesday briefing at the White House. "It's crucial for us that the international community comprehend the gravity of the situation and acknowledge Hamas's actions on the 7th of October, as well as Israel's right to protect itself from these threats."
The original draft resolution included a request for a "cessation of hostilities" to facilitate crucial aid access to Gaza. There was optimism among diplomats that altering the wording to "suspension of hostilities" might secure backing from the United States.
Despite previous vetoes by the US in the UN Security Council and its rejection of a ceasefire appeal in the broader UN General Assembly.
If the US were to ultimately support the resolution, it would send a powerful message to Israel, signaling the increasing global concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including from its close ally. At the Security Council meeting, a high-ranking US diplomat emphasized the need to condemn Hamas' attacks on October 7, while also stressing the importance of protecting civilians and journalists, as well as ensuring essential humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
The Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, refrained from indicating the United States' voting position on the forthcoming resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid.
He also voiced apprehension about the concerning surge in Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, emphasizing that the United States vehemently condemns the settlers' violence and is urging the Israeli government to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Earlier in the month, the United States used its veto power to block a resolution in the 15-member UNSC that contained the word "ceasefire." Ambassador Wood cited the absence of any reference to the October 7 Hamas attacks as the reason for the veto. As one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, a US veto ensures the resolution will not be approved.
Nusseibeh, who played a role in drafting the text and leads the 22-member Arab group as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, emphasized the urgent need to cease hostilities and permit aid into the enclave. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached "catastrophic" levels, with innocent people facing dire shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel on a daily basis. Nusseibeh stressed that the UNSC members have witnessed the devastating effects of this crisis and the need for increased aid is undeniable.
The Council resolution addresses this need by opening border crossings and allowing aid to be transported by land, sea, and air, as well as establishing a UN-led mechanism to streamline inspection, monitoring, and approvals. It emphasizes the importance of halting hostilities to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and we are committed to vigorously pursuing this objective.
Nusseibeh also emphasized the importance of these measures in saving lives, and our strategy has focused on ensuring adoption from the beginning. We have engaged closely and in good faith with Council Members, including the US, and have also been in negotiations with concerned Arab countries regarding this text.
The United Nations General Assembly voted last week to demand an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, in a direct challenge to the United States, which has consistently vetoed ceasefire calls in the Security Council. While the General Assembly vote holds political significance and is considered to carry moral weight, it is not legally binding like a Security Council resolution. This story has been revised with further reporting.
CNNs Michael Williams contributed to this report.
