UN security council set to vote on long-pending Gaza resolution
Amidst escalating tensions and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council has scheduled to vote on a delayed resolution aiming to halt the Israel-Hamas conflict. The vote, initially postponed multiple times, is now slated for Wednesday.
The Gaza Strip is witnessing a dire humanitarian situation, prompting concerns from senior UN officials who find Israel’s aid measures falling significantly short of the growing needs on the ground. Council members struggled for days to find consensus on the resolution’s wording, with disagreements causing repeated delays in the voting process.
The United States, a key ally of Israel and a permanent Security Council member with veto power, has opposed the use of the term “ceasefire.” Analysts, including Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group, highlight the uncertainty surrounding the situation, emphasizing the pivotal role of the U.S. in determining the resolution’s fate.
Israeli authorities, backed by the U.S., remain resistant to the term “ceasefire,” complicating diplomatic efforts. The vote follows earlier impasses, including a recent block by the U.S. despite pressure from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Last week, the General Assembly passed a nonbinding resolution with overwhelming support, leading Arab countries to pursue a new attempt at the Security Council. The latest draft emphasizes an urgent and lasting cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
UN official Tor Wennesland acknowledges Israel’s limited steps to allow aid but emphasizes that they fall far short of addressing the dire situation on the ground, referring to it as a “human catastrophe.”
The conflict escalated after an October 7 attack by Hamas, prompting Israel’s vow to “annihilate” the group. Conflicting casualty figures add complexity, with Israeli authorities reporting around 1,140 deaths, mainly civilians, and the Hamas-run health ministry claiming 19,667 casualties, primarily women and children.
