A UN Security Council vote on a resolution calling for a pause to the Israel-Hamas war was postponed again Wednesday as members wrangled over wording. This comes amid increasing death tolls in Gaza and deteriorating conditions in the region. The members have been in negotiations, with Israel and the United States opposing the use of the term ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that there would be no ceasefire in Gaza until the elimination of Hamas. Arab League and Russia have stepped up diplomatic pressure on Israel to bring the fighting to a close.

UN SECURITY
COUNCIL VOTE
UPDATE ✅

From Bubba 📰:

“The UN Security Council vote on a resolution calling for a surge in humanitarian aid and an urgent halt to the Israel-Hamas war was again delayed today.

They’ll try again tomorrow as the vote is now slated to take place… pic.twitter.com/LU6JpIP8Op

— Todd Doty (@ToddDoty8) December 20, 2023

The resolution, drafted by the UAE, called for the urgent suspension of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and for urgent steps toward a sustainable cessation of hostilities. United Nations official Tor Wennesland said that Israel's limited steps to allow aid into Gaza are positive, but fall far short of addressing the human catastrophe on the ground. The death count in the Palestinian territory has reached 20,000. The ongoing discussions at the UN Security Council highlight the desperate need for humanitarian aid and a sustainable ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict in the region.