The UN Security Council will vote today on a new draft resolution on an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza, after Russia and China vetoed an earlier text proposed by the United States, AFP reports.
The new text, according to the version seen by AFP on Sunday, “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramazan, “leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire.”
It also “demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as the “lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.”
The text is being put forward by non-permanent members of the Security Council, which worked with the United States over the weekend to avoid a veto, according to diplomats speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity. “We expect, barring a last-minute twist, that the resolution will be adopted and that the United States will not vote against it,” one diplomat told AFP.
Ahead of taking off for an official visit to Washington, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his focus would include “preserving the qualitative military edge” and “our ability to obtain platforms and munitions”. He is set to meet Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and other senior US officials.
