UN Security Council to vote on new resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire, release of hostages

The UN Security Council is set to vote on a new draft resolution on an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza, after Russia and China vetoed an earlier text proposed by the United States.

The new text, according to the version seen by AFP, “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.”

It also “demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as the “lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.”

The text is being put forward by non-permanent members of the Security Council, which worked with the United States over the weekend to avoid a veto, according to diplomats speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

“We expect, barring a last-minute twist, that the resolution will be adopted and that the United States will not vote against it,” one diplomat tells AFP.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” in Gaza for around six weeks as part of a hostage deal after Russia and China, who are permanent members, vote against the measure proposed by the United States.

The resolution called for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” lasting roughly six weeks that would protect civilians and allow for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and condemned the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas.

Moscow accused Washington of a “hypocritical spectacle” that does not pressure Israel.

The Russian veto appeared to be at least a partial extension of Moscow’s rivalry with the US, which has peaked since the invasion of Ukraine.

The resolution marked a further toughening of Washington’s stance toward Israel. Earlier in the five-month-long war, the US was averse to the word ceasefire and vetoed measures that included calls for an immediate ceasefire.