Vote on Security Council resolution for aid surge, ‘urgent, sustainable cessation’ in fighting delayed

French Ambassador to the United Nations Nicolas de Riviere (C) raises his hand in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York on December 8, 2023. (Charly Triballeau/AFP)
French Ambassador to the United Nations Nicolas de Riviere (C) raises his hand in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a United Nations Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York on December 8, 2023. (Charly Triballeau/AFP)

The UN Security Council vote on an Arab-sponsored resolution to spur desperately needed humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza during some kind of a halt in fighting has been delayed until 5 p.m. EST, as talks apparently remain at a crossroads.

The US has opposed previous resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire and that fail to condemn Hamas.

The council had scheduled a vote late Monday afternoon, but it was postponed until this morning to try to get the US to support the resolution or abstain.

The US vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by almost all council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The 193-member General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a similar resolution on December 12 by a vote of 153-10, with 23 abstentions.

The draft resolution on the table Monday morning called for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities,” but this language is expected to be watered down in a final draft, possibly to a “suspension” of hostilities or something weaker to get US support, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations have been private.

Security Council resolutions are important because they are legally binding, but in practice, many parties choose to ignore the council’s requests for action. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they are a significant barometer of world opinion.

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