The United Nations Security Council will vote on an Arab-sponsored resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The highly anticipated vote was initially planned for Monday evening but was postponed in an effort to avoid a potential veto from the United States.
Diplomats are actively working to persuade the U.S. to either vote in favor of the resolution or to abstain, thus allowing the resolution to pass. The draft resolution outlined the need for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities” to provide essential humanitarian aid to the civilians affected by the conflict.
However, there are expectations that the language of the resolution will be altered to secure U.S. support. The potential amendment may change the call for a “suspension” of hostilities or implement similar language to appease the U.S., according to diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions.
Despite the Security Council’s legal enforcement, there remains a possibility that the involved parties may choose to disregard the council’s demands for action. The U.S. previously vetoed a Security Council cease-fire resolution that enjoyed widespread support from council members and numerous other nations.
Robert Wood, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the U.N., reiterated the U.S.’s desire for peace between Israelis and Palestinians but voiced criticism regarding the proposed resolution. He highlighted concerns that the resolution would leave Hamas in place, potentially enabling the group to repeat acts of violence.
Wood emphasized the U.S.’s support for a sustainable peace agreement while expressing opposition to a cease-fire that may pave the way for future conflicts. The update on the impending Security Council vote was contributed by Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind and the Associated Press.