UN Security Council to vote on Gaza aid measure after delays

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council was poised on Friday to vote on a much-delayed and watered-down resolution to boost aid to Gaza after Washington signalled it was ready to back the measure.

After days of delays, the latest version seen by AFP calls for the “unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale” and the creation of “conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” It does not call for an immediate end to fighting.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters Thursday evening that “if the resolution is put forward as is, then we can support it.”

She denied that the draft resolution had been watered down, saying it was “very strong” and “fully supported by the Arab group.”

Diplomatic wrangling at United Nations headquarters in Manhattan — causing the vote to be postponed several times this week — has come against the backdrop of deteriorating conditions in Gaza and a mounting death toll.

“Some of this language is slightly absurd,” said International Crisis Group analyst Richard Gowan.

“Other Council members have to decide if they will swallow a weak text for the sake of a deal, or if this is just too thin to bother with.”

He noted in particular that veto-wielding Russia must decide “if they can back a draft that ultimately goes against their long-standing argument that a cease-fire is essential.”

Russia’s deputy envoy to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said Friday that “all options are on the table.”

The United Arab Emirates is sponsoring the resolution, which has been amended in several key areas to secure compromise, according to the draft version seen .