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December 22, 2023
A UN Security Council vote on the Gaza resolution has been postponed again, even after fundamental changes to a compromise text. The agreement would allow aid into Gaza as fears about hunger mount. DW has the latest.
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United Nations Security Council repeatedly delays vote on crucial Gaza resolutionImage: Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty ImagesSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know UN Security Council delays Gaza vote again Compromise agreement on aid deliveries appears close A UN-backed report warns of acute hunger in Gaza Hostage talks in Egypt so far inconclusive Skip next section UN Security Council Gaza vote delayed again December 22, 2023
UN Security Council Gaza vote delayed again The United Nations Security Council has again postponed a vote on a repeatedly-delayed resolution on the war between Hamas and Israel, although a compromise agreement appears to have been reached.
The postponement to Friday came even as the United States, which has opposed a string of proposals during the drafting of the resolution, said it was ready to support the text in its current form.
Several countries had to consult with their governments, it was said.
After days of delays, the latest draft is understood to include calls for “urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.”
Members of the UN Security Council reached a compromise on the controversial issue of how the humanitarian goods are to be checked.
The checks are to be carried out by a newly appointed UN coordinator. In cooperation with all actors, this coordinator should also ensure the acceleration of international aid.
The text is the result of intensive negotiations involving the US, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. It does not call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aSprSkip next section What has been happening in the hostage talks?December 22, 2023
What has been happening in the hostage talks? Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Cairo for a second day of negotiations about hostage releases, which ended late on Thursday.
Mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have previously met separately with Israel and Hamas, as well as other groups. In Cairo, there are no details on who might be engaging with Israeli delegates.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said negotiations on a hostage release were continuing but declined to provide details.
Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and the European Union, has insisted it will not discuss anything less than a complete end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden struck a note of caution on Wednesday, given major differences that still exist between the sides.
“There’s no expectation at this point, but we are pushing,” he said. Regarding the rising death toll in Gaza, Biden said: It’s tragic.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4aSptSkip next section UN-backed report warns of mass starvation in GazaDecember 22, 2023
UN-backed report warns of mass starvation in GazaA report released Thursday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) claimed the Gaza Strip’s 2.3 million residents were currently facing high levels of acute food insecurity, and that the situation could deteriorate drastically if the status quo persisted.
The IPC forecast that by February 7, at current rates, “the entire population in the Gaza Strip” would be at “crisis or worse” levels of hunger on its five-level scale.
The organization said famine conditions were yet to take hold, but warned this transition was highly likely unless the situation improved.
Food and water have become increasingly scarce in Gaza since Israel began retaliatory military strikes and a ground invasion in the enclave, in response to October 7 attacks launched from Gaza by the Islamist militant group Hamas.
Israel immediately blockaded the region after the attack — which killed nearly 1,300 Israelis — cutting off deliveries of fuel, medicine, food, and water. Although it later allowed a trickle of aid in through Egypt, UN agencies say only 10% of Gaza’s food needs have been entering for weeks.
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dh/rc (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
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