UN resolution on Gaza hampered by issues important to U.S.: Cessation of hostilities and aid monitors
The Hindu
UN Security Council delays vote on resolution to spur aid to Gaza, U.S. seeks changes to language on cessation of hostilities & UN inspection of aid.
The Security Council's adoption of a new United Nations (UN) resolution to spur desperately needed aid to Gaza has been bogged down by two issues important to the United States: a reference to a cessation of hostilities and putting the UN in charge of inspecting trucks to ensure they are actually carrying humanitarian goods.
A vote on the Arab-sponsored resolution, first postponed from December 18, was pushed back again until December 20 as Council members continued intense negotiations to avoid another veto by the United States.
Also read: Israel faces Gaza ceasefire calls, U.S. vows more arms
“We're still working through the modalities of the resolution,” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on December 19 afternoon when the vote was still set for 5 p.m. “It's important for us that the rest of the world understand what's at stake here and what Hamas did on the 7th of October and how Israel has a right to defend itself against those threats.” It was cancelled as the U.S. asked for more time and is now scheduled to take place after an open council briefing followed by closed consultations on the UN political mission in Afghanistan on December 20 morning.
The draft resolution on the table on Dec. 18 morning called for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities,” but this language was watered down in a new draft circulated early Dec. 19.
It now “calls for the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” The United States in the past has opposed language on a cessation of hostilities, and diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private said this remains an issue for the Americans.
The resolution also calls for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a mechanism for monitoring aid deliveries to Gaza. The diplomats said this is also an issue because it bypasses the current Israeli inspection of aid entering the territory.
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