The UN Security Council is set to make another attempt on Thursday to pass a resolution calling for a halt in Israeli aggression, following previous unsuccessful efforts to garner Washington’s backing. The diplomatic negotiations at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan have caused the vote to be postponed multiple times, unfolding against the backdrop of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and a rising death toll.
The United Arab Emirates sponsors a draft resolution on the conflict, which has undergone compromises to secure consensus, as per a draft version seen by AFP. The resolution urges the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe humanitarian access and calls for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
Countries are engaging in high-level diplomacy to craft a text that can have a meaningful impact on the ground, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. The UAE’s ambassador, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, emphasizes the commitment to finding a resolution, stating, “There is too much suffering on the ground for the council to continue to fail on this.”
The 15-member council has faced challenges in finding common ground on the resolution, resulting in multiple delays since Monday. Israel, with the support of the United States, a veto-wielding permanent Security Council member, opposes the term “ceasefire,” and the U.S. has used its veto to block resolutions opposed by Israel during the conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that there will be no ceasefire in Gaza until the “elimination” of Hamas. The final decision on the resolution is anticipated from the White House, with a sense that President Joe Biden will play a crucial role in the outcome.
The latest delay, reportedly at the request of the United States, underscores the complex diplomatic landscape. Washington’s UN ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has advocated strongly for a deal within the U.S. system. However, if Israeli opposition persists, President Biden could decide to block the resolution.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken refrains from disclosing the U.S. next move at the Security Council but emphasizes constructive engagement to resolve issues while ensuring that the resolution advances humanitarian efforts without hindrance.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres maintains his call for a humanitarian ceasefire, emphasizing the intense nature of ongoing discussions without interference from the UN.
