NEW YORK: The UN Security Council on Tuesday again postposed the voting on a fresh resolution on ceasefire in Gaza.
According to western media reports citing sources the development comes as member states failed to find common ground on the critical issue. Three diplomatic sources said the voting has been delayed till Wednesday.
The United Arab Emirates that had introduced the latest resolution, requested the vote set for 5:00 pm on Monday. However, it was postponed due to ongoing complex negotiations.
The vote delay shows the UN diplomats have been unable to develop consensus on the matter.
On December 8, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza where Israel continues its deadly strikes.
In the General Assembly, the 193-member United Nations voted overwhelmingly for a ceasefire in the area. Overall, 153 nations support in favor of ceasefire.
Senior official of United Nations Tor Wennesland has said that Israel’s action to permit aid into Gaza are insufficient. He added that the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza Strip continues to face challenges.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington would welcome a resolution that fully supports addressing the humanitarian requirements of the people of Gaza.
Israeli bombardment kills 19,667 Gazans
According to the Hamas-run territory’s Health Ministry the relentless Israeli bombardment has killed more than 19,667 Gazans, mostly women and children.
The war was paused for seven days as a result of a Qatar- US brokered deal during which Hamas released 110 captives in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed last week that new negotiations were under way on captives’ issue, after a source said Israel’s intelligence chief met the prime minister of Qatar.
The draft resolution reiterated support for a two-state solution and underlines the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. It calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all captives and condemns all indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
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The UN has said that some 1.87 million Palestinians, over 80 percent of Gaza’s population, have left their homes.
The Security Council has faced international criticism for passing only one resolution on Gaza during the ongoing conflict, with five other resolutions rejected, including two due to the US vetoes. While Security Council resolutions are technically binding, compliance is not guaranteed.
