The United Nations Security Council has postponed a vote on a resolution calling for a sustainable cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The delay is to allow diplomats more time to address US objections to the wording of the draft resolution. The US stated that it could not support a reference to a “cessation of hostilities” but may accept a call for a “suspension of hostilities”.
Arab countries negotiating the text were encouraged by the US’s willingness to find wording it could support, rather than simply vetoing resolutions. Divisions within the US administration have been growing, with some officials suggesting that the US is not fully understanding the disillusionment in the Global South over perceived US hypocrisy in calling out Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Some US diplomats have visited Jerusalem to urge the Israeli government to adopt different military tactics, but with limited success. The US’s support for a suspension of hostilities at the UN would indicate US frustration with the Israeli government.
The US has previously rejected cessation of hostilities resolutions at the Security Council due to the lack of criticism of Hamas for its killing of more than 1,000 Israelis in October. The latest draft resolution condemns all acts of terrorism and calls for the release of all hostages.
Pressure on the US has increased after the UN General Assembly voted for an urgent cessation of hostilities. However, General Assembly votes are expressions of world opinion and do not have the force of law like Security Council resolutions.
The UK has sometimes voted in favor of resolutions opposed by the US on Middle East issues. A UN call for a suspension of hostilities would pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and establish a monitoring process to ensure aid reaches Gaza.
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