The United Nations Security Council faced another postponement in voting on a long-awaited resolution calling for a halt to the Israel-Hamas war, as members grappled over wording. At the same time, the death toll in Gaza continued to rise. The debate at the UN’s Manhattan headquarters unfolded against a backdrop of worsening conditions in Gaza, with a senior UN official stating that Israel’s efforts to allow aid fell “far short” of the mounting need.
Ecuador’s Jose Javier De La Gasca Lopez-Dominguez, holding the council’s rotating presidency, announced the delay, citing ongoing negotiations and scheduling the adoption for Thursday morning. Council members, including the US-backed Israel, opposed the term “ceasefire,” and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared no ceasefire until the “elimination” of Hamas.
Diplomatic pressure intensified, with Russia and the Arab League urging Israel to cease hostilities. Analysts, including Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the situation and the pivotal role of the United States in determining the outcome.
This development follows earlier impasses, notably when the US blocked a Security Council resolution earlier this month, despite widespread support at the UN General Assembly. Arab countries initiated a renewed attempt, presenting a draft text calling for an “urgent and lasting cessation of hostilities” to facilitate humanitarian aid access in Gaza.
However, the latest version, aiming for compromise, seeks the “urgent suspension of hostilities” to allow safe humanitarian access and progress towards a sustainable cessation. UN official Tor Wennesland acknowledged Israel’s “limited” steps for aid but stressed they “fall far short” of addressing the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
After the October 7 attack, with conflicting casualty figures, Israel vowed to “annihilate” Hamas, while Gaza’s Hamas government reported a death count of 20,000 in the Palestinian territory. The situation remains fluid, awaiting further diplomatic developments in the UN Security Council.