The US is participating in diplomatic efforts to prevent the need to veto a UN resolution regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza

In a bid to avert another U.S. veto, the United States, along with key allies and Arab nations, are engaged in intense diplomatic efforts concerning a new U.N. resolution to address urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. The vote, initially set for Monday and subsequently postponed multiple times, is now scheduled for Thursday morning.

The U.S. is actively working to modify the resolution’s wording regarding the cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the inspection process of aid trucks entering Gaza. The proposal suggests a U.N. role in the inspection process, a point likely to face opposition from Israel.

President Joe Biden, while returning from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, mentioned ongoing negotiations at the U.N. for a feasible resolution. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh of the UAE, the sponsor of the resolution, noted ongoing high-level discussions to find a consensus on the text.

The vote delay, according to Ecuador’s U.N. Ambassador José Javier De La Gasca López-Domínguez, current Security Council president, is to allow more time for diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to converse with his Egyptian and UAE counterparts to achieve a consensus.

Blinken also discussed with European foreign ministers the urgency of humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing the need to minimize civilian casualties and de-escalate the conflict. He reinforced the U.S. commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The UAE remains hopeful for a positive outcome from the negotiations, but is prepared for a vote on the resolution if necessary.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and a potential collapse of the humanitarian support system.

The draft resolution initially called for an “urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities.” The latest version, however, focuses on a temporary suspension of hostilities for humanitarian access and steps towards a sustainable end to the hostilities. It also proposes a U.N.-exclusive mechanism to monitor aid deliveries to Gaza, bypassing Israeli inspections.

U.S. and Egyptian engagements are focused on ensuring any aid monitoring mechanism is acceptable to all involved parties.

John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council spokesman, also highlighted the absence of condemnation of Hamas’ incursion into Israel and the recognition of Israel’s right to self-defense in the Arab-sponsored resolution.

The U.S. had previously vetoed a similar resolution on December 8, while the General Assembly passed a resolution with overwhelming support.

The Security Council adopted a resolution on November 15, with the U.S. abstaining, calling for humanitarian pauses, unhindered aid deliveries, and the release of all hostages. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, though often not followed, while General Assembly resolutions reflect global opinion but are not legally binding.

Since the conflict’s onset, the Gaza Health Ministry reports nearly 20,000 Palestinian deaths. Hamas, controlling Gaza, does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. The U.N. estimates thousands more are buried under Gaza’s rubble.