After a week of diplomatic negotiations and revisions, the United States has signaled its readiness to support a United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza. The draft resolution, originally proposed by the United Arab Emirates on December 15, faced significant alterations to accommodate the concerns of various stakeholders, primarily the United States.
Why the Need for Amendments?
The initial draft called for a cessation of hostilities, unhindered aid flow into Gaza, and exclusive UN monitoring of aid routes. However, the United States initially objected to the term “cessation,” substituting it with “suspension of hostilities.” A major point of contention arose over UN monitoring of aid entering Gaza, leading to delays in the voting process.
Changes Made by the US
With input from Arab states, the US-amended draft dropped all references to a pause in fighting. Instead, it now calls for “urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” The alteration reflects a nuanced shift in language.
The original draft proposed that the UN exclusively monitor humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza through various routes. In the amended version, the US proposed appointing a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator, selected by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to establish a mechanism for accelerating aid through states not party to the conflict. This change aims to address concerns related to UN oversight.
Will the Resolution Pass?
For the resolution to pass, it requires at least nine votes in favor out of the 15 member states, with no vetoes from the five permanent members: the US, France, China, the UK, or Russia. While the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that the draft is now “a resolution we can support,” the actual voting outcome remains uncertain.
The vote, originally scheduled for Thursday, was delayed to Friday following objections from Russia and some other council members during closed-door talks about the amendments. The diluted language and removal of the term “cessation of hostilities” may influence the stance of permanent members Russia and China.
Potential Impact
The urgency of the situation in Gaza cannot be overstated, with the entire population facing a hunger crisis. The proposed resolution, despite its alterations, aims to facilitate humanitarian access. However, the effectiveness of such resolutions, considering past experiences, remains uncertain. Gaza’s pressing needs, coupled with potential obstacles in implementation, raise questions about the resolution’s tangible impact on the ground.
As the international community awaits the outcome of the UN Security Council vote, the focus remains on addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza amid an ongoing conflict that demands urgent attention and resolution.
