The US State Department said on Tuesday that the United States is working with member states of the Security Council to resolve outstanding issues related to a draft resolution calling on Israel and Hamas to allow aid to reach the Gaza Strip, and to establish a UN monitoring mechanism for the humanitarian aid provided.

Meanwhile, members of the UN Security Council are conducting intense negotiations on an Arab-sponsored resolution to stimulate the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza during a period of cessation of fighting, in an attempt to avoid the use of its veto power again by the United States.

The Council was scheduled to vote late Monday afternoon, but the date was postponed in an attempt to persuade the United States to support the resolution or abstain from voting.

The United States had opposed a Security Council resolution supported by almost all members of the Council, and dozens of other countries demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a similar resolution on December 12, with 153 countries voting in favor of the resolution, 10 countries opposed, while 23 countries abstained from voting.

The draft resolution, which was studied by the Council's 15 members on Monday morning, recognizes that civilians in Gaza do not have sufficient access to food, water, sanitation, electricity, communications and medical services "necessary for their survival."

It also expressed the Council's "grave concern about the disproportionate impact that the conflict is having on the lives and well-being of children, women and other civilians living in difficult situations."

About 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, since Israel declared war on Hamas following its surprise attacks in southern Israel on October 7.

Source: Sky News Arabia