US says 'actively working' on UN Security Council's Gaza resolution

WASHINGTON

The White House said Thursday that 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.

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.

At issue are repeated US vetoes that have killed two prior council drafts that demanded a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. US President Joe Biden has continued to oppose a ceasefire, saying it would only benefit Hamas.

"We're still working with our partners up there about what that language ought to 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 actually 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, which is 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 in support of the non-binding resolution.

A sticking point on the draft resolution being considered in the Security Council has reportedly been the establishment of a UN mechanism to monitor aid deliveries, and whether it should be independent of Israel and Hamas.

Asked if the US continues to believe Israel must have a role in the inspection regime, Kirby said he would not speak directly to the ongoing negotiations but maintained "Israel has had, and understandably so, has had a role in the inspection regime, a key role, a pivotal role, and we understand and respect that."