WASHINGTON: The White House said Thursday that United States (US) negotiators are “actively working” with international partners at the UN Security Council on a pivotal resolution to address the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
The draft text, which calls for the “urgent suspension” of hostilities in the besieged coastal enclave to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries, has languished in the council for the better part of a week, and is on track to be delayed for a fourth time Thursday.
“We’re still working with our partners up there about what that language should be. It’s important to us, of course, that the humanitarian situation in Gaza gets addressed,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters amid persistent delays caused by a potential third US veto.
“We are working harder than any other nation to address those concerns. So we certainly would agree that that needs to be part and parcel of the language.
“But again, I don’t want to get ahead of where we are. And we are working as a team to push forward the President’s approach and his policies with respect to supporting Israel and to supporting the Palestinian people,” he added.
The US, a permanent council member, issued its last veto calling for a humanitarian ceasefire on Dec 8.
The UN General Assembly, where the US lacks veto power, then quickly took up the matter four days later with the vast majority of member states lining up supporting the non-binding resolution. – BERNAMA-ANADOLU
